Belarus Regime’s Crackdown on Dissent Marches On Despite Token Prisoner Releases

In a brazen display of authoritarian resilience, the regime of Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko maintains an unwavering crackdown on political dissent even as it theatrically releases select prisoners. The facade of leniency masks an ongoing campaign to silence any opposition and tighten control over the nation. According to the Viasna human rights center, despite the government’s recent pardon and release of 14 prisoners last month, at least 60 new arrests have been made on politically motivated charges. Over 100 such arrests were documented in May alone. This relentless pursuit reveals a government bent not on reconciliation but on eliminating all...