Published by Swedish PEN • Since 2011

Belarus

A Frozen Soviet Fragment

Belarus is often called Europe’s last dictatorship. However, oppression within the country does not adhere to the more common nationalistic model—quite the opposite.

Country:

Belarus

September 17 2016. #21 2016.

Belarus is described as Europe’s last dictatorship. The country has had the same president for twenty years and is the only one in Europe still employing capital punishment. The regime has also introduced a special license, which basically suffocates all independent publishers and magazines. How is literature and journalism in a country wedged between East and West affected?

Country:

Belarus

October 13 2015. #18 2015.

Heckling the powerful in Belarus

Freedom of speech is greatly limited in Belarus. Since 2006 the country has been included in the Reporters Without Borders’ list of ”Internet enemies.” The Belarusian author and blogger Jauhen Lipkovich describes his experience of writing on critical topics on his blog, livejournal.com.

Country:

Belarus

May 6 2014. #13 2014.

Belarus: A renaissance generation on the run

The well-educated are among the first to leave a repressive dictatorship. In countries like Belarus or Eritrea, the escalating oppression cuts holes in the very fabric of society. How are these to be mended? The writer and dissident Pavel Marazou has a suggestion.

Country:

Belarus

October 24 2013. #10 2013.

Journalists in prison: A survival manual

In the last few months, the repression in Belarus has tightened even more. Iryna Chalip, correspondent in Belarus for the Russian newspaper Novaja Gazeta, tells us about the recent attacks on freedom of speech by the secret police KGB—and about the aftermaths of the so-called “teddy bear attack”.

Country:

Belarus

September 27 2012. #6 2012.

It is not far between Stockholm and Minsk

The diplomatic crisis between Belarus and Sweden goes much deeper than to the recent “teddy bear incident”.

Country:

Belarus

September 27 2012. #6 2012.

Hear the voices from Belarus

All over the world, the “social networks” continue to play an important role in the struggle for democracy. This is happening right now in Belarus, known as the last dictatorship of Europe, where KGB for a long time has been able to control and silence newspapers, radio and TV.

Country:

Belarus

July 2 2012. #5 2012.

“If you reach a half million, we will place ourselves at your side”

After the elections in Belarus in December last year, the situation in the country has become chaotic. Crackdowns on the opposition have been violent and many people have been thrown into jail. Journalist and author Svetlana Alexievich is Belarus's most prominent journalist.

Country:

Belarus

Key person(s):

Svetlana Aleksijevitj

Aleksandr Lukasjenko

Uladzimir Njakljajeu

July 7 2011. #1 2011.