Protests Continue in Belarus

Belarus continues to experience unrest and massive protests as a result of the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko. Demonstrators are calling on the Belarusian leader to step down after he won a sixth term in August that is seen by many as having been rigged. The protests are the largest show of defiance to President Lukashenko in the past quarter century and represent a real threat to his continued grip on power in the eastern European country. Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for the last 26 years and is described as a dictator.

Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.

Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for “Protests Continue in Belarus"

Links

“Tens of thousands protest in Belarus, defying warning shots”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/1/tens-of-thousands-protest-in-belarus-defying-warning-shots

“Tens of thousands protest in Belarus, defying warning shots”
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/02/europe/belarus-protests-police-crackdown-intl/index.html

“Belarus opposition leader calls on EU to step up sanctions against regime”
https://www.ft.com/content/50d1730b-fe6e-40b8-b4b1-ec60755430a3

“Belarus protests: National opposition strike gains momentum”
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54684753

“What’s Next for Protesters in Belarus?”
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/11/02/whats-next-for-protesters-in-belarus-a71931

“Putin stands with Belarus’s dictator — we should stand by its people”
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/521353-putin-stands-with-belaruss-dictator-we-should-stand-by-its-people

“Protests in Kyrgyzstan and Belarus: why some ‘succeed’ while the others ‘do not’?”
https://www.timesca.com/index.php/news/26-opinion-head/23094-protests-in-kyrgyzstan-and-belarus-why-some-succeed-while-the-others-do-not

“Police fire warning shots as thousands protest in Belarus”
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/police-fire-warning-shots-thousands-protest-belarus-73959181

Assessment

• Writing: Describe why demonstrators are calling on President Alexander Lukashenko to step down.
• Debate: The U.S. and the international community should intervene in Belarus to expediate the removal from office of President Lukashenko.
• Poll: The protesters should go on strike and shut down the country until President Lukashenko steps down.
• Short Answer: What would be the ramifications if Russia decides to prevent the removal of President Lukashenko from power?

Current events quiz:

1) All the following tactics have been used by Belarusian authorities to stop the protests EXCEPT.

a. The use of mass detention
b. The closing of the country’s borders
c. The mass execution of demonstrators
d. The threat of force

2) Which of the following describe why Belarusians have taken to the streets to protest?

a. Belief that the government hasn’t done enough to stop the spread of COVID-19
b. The rigged August election
c. A desire to have access to clean water and air
d. High unemployment

3) Which of the following countries is a strong ally of Belarus?

a. Russia
b. China
c. United States
d. Brazil

4) Belarus has experienced its largest protests in twenty-five years. (T/F)

5) President Alexander Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. (T/F)

6) President Lukashenko recently won reelection with 80% of the vote. (T/F)

Answers:

1) C

2) B

3) A

4) True

5) False

6) True

 

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Featured Image Credit: Artem Podrez