BELARUS: Faith in Chains, analysis of the religious and political situation
By Sergey Rakhuba, President of Mission Eurasia
Mission Eurasia (03.12.2024) – The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), notorious for its persecution of dissidents and people of faith, may have collapsed, but the legacy of its oppressive tactics persists in some authoritarian regimes in the former Soviet bloc. This report, Faith in Chains, provides a comprehensive analysis of the alarming state of religious freedom in Belarus — a nation that has become a bastion of authoritarian control under Alexander Lukashenko.
Situated on the border of the European Union, Belarus holds a crucial geopolitical position, acting as a “shield” for Russia. Thus, by following the “big brother example” and being tightly controlled by the Kremlin, Belarus finds its human rights and religious freedoms systematically repressed. In many ways, the oppressive conditions in Belarus now mirror, or even exceed, those of the former Soviet Union.
The “persecution technologies” employed in Belarus today bear a disturbing resemblance to those used by Soviet-era regimes. The KGB, the feared state security apparatus, continues to wield significant power, serving as the enforcer of the regime’s authoritarian policies. Much like the Communist Party leaders of the USSR, who utilized the KGB to suppress dissent and control the masses, Lukashenko’s regime relies on the same mechanisms to silence any independent thought, including religious dissent.
In the report Faith in Chains, my closest colleagues, Rev. Mykhailo Brytsyn and Dr. Maksym Vasin, who are deeply connected to a network of churches and organizations inside Belarus, offer key insights into the strategically important points highlighted throughout this research.
Religious Persecution as a Political Weapon: The Belarusian government enforces draconian laws to stifle religious communities and restrict their freedom to operate. Religious institutions, particularly those not aligned with the regime, face constant surveillance, harassment, and forced closure. By manipulating religion as a tool of political control, Lukashenko ensures loyalty to his authoritarian rule, effectively silencing any opposition rooted in faith.
Russia’s Influence on Belarusian Religious Policy: As Belarus falls deeper into Russia’s sphere of influence, its religious and political systems increasingly mirror Moscow’s authoritarian model. The Belarusian Orthodox Church, closely aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church, operates under Moscow’s influence, tightening governmental control over religious life. Meanwhile, other religious communities, particularly evangelical, and non-Orthodox Christian groups, are subjected to mounting pressure and restrictions.
The KGB as the Instrument of Suppression: The KGB, a remnant of the Soviet Union, remains the regime’s primary tool for stifling dissent and controlling religious communities. Religious leaders who express independent thought or criticize the government are often subject to intimidation, surveillance, and arrest. Alexander Lukashenko, having seized power decades ago, continues to use the same Soviet-style mechanisms of repression that have long oppressed Belarusian society.
The systematic violation of religious freedoms and basic human rights in Belarus demands an urgent international response. This report calls on global human rights organizations, governments, and religious bodies to increase pressure on Belarus to respect the rights of religious communities. Institutions like the United Nations, OSCE, the U.S. Department of State, USCIRF, and the Council of Europe must take decisive action to address these ongoing abuses and protect those suffering under this repressive regime.
Table of contents
- Introduction
- About Mission Eurasia
- Background: The 2020-2021 protests in Belarus and Russia’s influence
- Legislative initiatives in Belarus and repressive measures
- Restrictions on religious activity in Belarus
- Government oppression of churches for opposing violence and lawlessness in Belarus
- Comparison of the religious situation in Belarus and Russia-occupied territories in Ukraine
- Recommendations
- Story of Sergiy Melyanets’ family from Belarus