In the context of growing military tensions and the rapidly evolving Russia-Ukraine crisis, Belarus is represented to an international audience essentially as Russia’s compliant satellite or simply as an extension of the terrain on which Russian military forces are situated. Amidst the emerging chaos, Lukashenka’s government has conducted a constitutional referendum in Belarus, which not only threatens institutional changes blurring the separation of powers but also rescinds Belarus’s long-standing commitment to military neutrality and non-nuclear status. Meanwhile, the Belarusian people themselves, appear to be left on their own, living with severe repressions and limitations on their basic civil and political rights. But, at the same time, the Belarusian Democratic Forces continue their efforts to push the plight of Belarus onto the international agenda and to provide Belarusians with perspectives and scenarios of a brighter, more democratic future for their country. Against this background, what are the possible directions for Belarusian social, economic, domestic and foreign policies? What are the prospects for civil society? How can the situation of Belarus be brought into sharper focus for the international community - why should they care? What are the main risks and challenges for the country over the coming months and what can different national and international actors and stakeholders do to support Belarus and promote positive change?
These and other questions will be discussed at the expert webinar jointly convened by the Research Centre of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Office (OST Research Centre) and the Oxford Belarus Observatory (OBO), with the support of the GCRF COMPASS project.