Organisers and members of the liquidated BSDP-Hramada party in The Hague (March 2025)
Last Thursday and Friday, March 27 and 28, FMS had the pleasure of hosting the chairman and vice chairman of the liquidated social democratic party Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada). Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) (from here on BSDP) was founded in 1991 and has been operating from exile since 2023, when the current regime banned all opposition parties. The purpose of the visit was to highlight the current situation in Belarus and draw attention to activists in exile.
The situation inside and outside of Belarus
Following unfair elections in 2020 and the violent protests that followed, the regime has silenced the opposition. Many opposition leaders and activists were arrested and put in prison, of which nine members of the BSDP and others have fled abroad. Among other things, during the visit attention was drawn to the long arm of the Belarusian regime. Opponents are unsafe not only at home, but also within the borders of the European Union. For example, during protests abroad, anti-regime demonstrators are identified through photo and video footage by the regime, and subsequently persecuted in Belarus. Their loved ones are also threatened and property, such as homes, are being confiscated. This puts further pressure on resistance in exile.
Organised opposition in exile
Fortunately, there is still a diversity of opposition parties in exile where they are active in the Coordination Council and the 8+100 Forums, among others, to work for a democratic Belarus and the situation of persons in exile. In addition, together with the Council of Europe, Svetlana Tichanovskaya and the International Parliamentary Alliance for a Democratic Belarus, a document has been prepared with guidelines on how European countries can help Belarusians in exile. For example, a common problem is that it takes a long time for Belarusian opposition members to receive residence permits as political refugees. These “Luxembourg Solutions” offer concrete proposals for this problem.
The situation for residents of Belarus and Belarusian refugees remains dangerous as freedom of expression and political opposition are banned. Thanks to BSDP’s visit to The Hague, Dutch politicians and non-profit organizations have hopefully put Belarus back on the agenda. Supporting opposition parties is vital to keep them in strength and prepare for a democratic and free Belarus in the future.
