The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation against the Lukashenka regime for repression and torture following the 2020 elections. This is the first time an international judicial institution officially investigates the regime’s crimes. This step is the result of the work of human rights defenders and the democratic forces of Belarus. The evidence has been collected and submitted to Lithuania, who brought the case to the ICC.
The criminal acts in question include:
➖ Deportation. According to the UN, the regime has forced around 300,000 Belarusians to leave the country due to repression, torture, and political persecution;
➖ Persecution of Belarusians in exile, including threats to life and health, politically motivated sentences, confiscation of property, and deprivation of access to public services;
➖ Other inhumane acts.
What outcomes can be expected?
➖ An investigation of crimes and potential punishment of the perpetrators;
➖ Increased international pressure on the regime;
➖ Encouragement for other countries to bring similar cases to international courts.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya explains the significance of the case:
“Lithuania’s decision to bring a case to the International Criminal Court against the Belarusian regime is an important step toward justice for Belarus. For more than four years following the rigged 2020 election, Belarusians have been suffering from brutal repression. The crimes committed by the Lukashenka regime must not go unpunished. We believe that with Lithuania and the international community, we will gather enough evidence to hold the perpetrators accountable”.
