Belarus: Protest reported in Minsk over Lukashenko seeking sixth term as president May 24

Event

On Sunday, May 24, around 1000 protesters gathered in Minsk to demonstrate against President Alexander Lukashenko seeking a sixth term in Belarus' August 9 election. The protest reportedly took place near Kamarousky Market in downtown Minsk. While police did not attempt to disperse the protest, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported on Friday, May 22, that 120 protesters, journalists, and government critics had been arrested nationwide between May 6 and May 13.

Further protests are likely in the run-up to the election. Associated disruptions to transportation and business are to be expected around demonstration sites.  

Advice

Individuals in Belarus are advised to monitor developments, avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings as a precaution, and anticipate a heightened security presence and localized disruptions to transportation and business around protest sites.