Belarus Coordination Council to hold hearings on Lukashenko
Belarus’s Coordination Council will hold hearings on Lukashenko’s accountability for crimes starts today.
Following the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections, Alexander Lukashenko’s regime has faced widespread condemnation for its authoritarian rule, violent suppression of dissent, and crimes against humanity, including forced deportations and persecution. The Coordination Council is set to hold a pivotal hearing on Lukashenko’s accountability, highlighting his illegitimacy and status as an international criminal.
In the short term, the upcoming hearing by the Coordination Council is unlikely to overturn Lukashenko’s regime. However, international scrutiny is expected to increase through diplomatic isolation and closer collaboration between the EU and Belarusian opposition. In the medium term, sustained international efforts, including ICC investigations and EU-backed sanctions, could erode the regime’s ability to maintain power.
Long term instability in Belarus could compel Russia to divert resources in order to retain a crucial ally for their war efforts in Ukraine, as Belarus provides military hardware and munitions. Instability might also boost the presence of Russian troops in Belarus, projecting pressure to Ukraine’s northern front. In the broader geopolitical landscape, the instability may embolden other Eastern European nations, prompting NATO to increase its presence in the region under the strategic defense autonomy. Ultimately, the trajectory of Belarus’s democratic aspirations will hinge on the resilience of its opposition and the international community’s resolve to uphold justice and the rule of law.
