Łukašenka lauds police as reprisals continue unabated

March 4, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka’s congratulatory message on the 107th anniversary of the formation of police forces praises the “selfless” and “dedicated service” of Belarusian policemen who ensure law and order in the country.

“Our citizens trust you wholeheartedly and know that Belarusian policemen always honorably perform their duties and are ready to come to the rescue at any moment,” his press office cited his address to current and former interior ministry employees.

Łukašenka’s claim that Belarusians trust police comes after more than three years of unabated reprisals against political opponents and mass-scale politically-motivated emigration of dissidents. 

At least 4,500 people have experienced different forms of politically-motivated persecution, according to the Viasna Human Rights Center.

As of March 4, human rights defenders identified at least 1,405 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented. Opposition sources estimate the number of political prisoners at around 5,000.

Police and security personnel enjoy impunity as prosecutors have not brought a single officer to account for violence, brutality, ill-treatment, torture and murders reported by human rights groups during and after the 2020 postelection protests.

Canada, the European Union, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and United States sanctioned Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakoŭ for involvement in reprisals. Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine introduced personal sanctions against him.

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