Belarus's Sham Election and the Fight for Freedom

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on the Canadian government to reject the legitimacy of the upcoming 2025 presidential election in her homeland. This election, organized by strongman Alexander Lukashenko, is widely seen as a sham designed to solidify his grip on power.

Lukashenko, who has clung to power since 2020 despite a fraudulent election, is expected to declare himself the winner of this vote, securing his seventh term in office. Tsikhanouskaya, who many believe won the 2020 election, has urged Canada to issue a statement beforehand, making it clear that the ballot is not considered legitimate.

The 2020 election sparked massive protests and a harsh crackdown on political opposition. Since then, up to 300,000 Belarusians have been forced to flee the country. Tsikhanouskaya has also requested that Canada impose more sanctions on Belarus, targeting those responsible for human rights abuses and those who assist in the sham elections.

In a further attempt to tighten his control, Lukashenko banned citizens from renewing their passports while abroad, potentially forcing those who fled the country to return. Tsikhanouskaya has asked Canada to help find a way for Belarusians in Canada to maintain legal status despite expired passports.

The situation in Belarus is further complicated by its involvement in the war in Ukraine. While Lukashenko claims to be protecting his people from the war, Iranian drones used by Russia have been tracked entering Belarusian airspace. This involvement makes it increasingly difficult for the regime to hide its complicity in the conflict.

Tsikhanouskaya also highlighted the plight of political prisoners in Belarus, with an estimated 1,400 currently imprisoned. She emphasized that the number continues to grow as the regime cracks down on dissent.

Despite the challenges, Tsikhanouskaya remains hopeful. She believes that the West needs to provide Ukraine with better air defense systems and stand firm against Russian aggression. "Only strong countries can stop it," she declared.