The National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) welcomes the open letter from 12 human rights organizations and the International Accountability Platform for Belarus in support of Lithuania’s referral to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding crimes against humanity committed by senior leadership of the Lukashenko regime. Human rights advocates have indicated that, in accordance with their mandates, they will provide the relevant evidence and information collected in support of the preliminary examination to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office and to ICC member states, and they confirm their readiness to support similar investigations. The signatories are calling on other ICC member states to join Lithuania’s request for an investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity committed by Lukashenko and members of his regime. Representing the interests of Belarusian civil society, the NAM led efforts to prepare materials for Lithuania’s Ministry of Justice, which formed the basis of the evidence submitted to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office. Documentation of alleged crimes against Belarusian civilians has been gathered. Based on the submitted materials, Lithuanian authorities reached a clear conclusion: there is sufficient basis to believe that Lukashenko and his accomplices are committing transnational crimes against humanity. On September 30, 2024, the Lithuanian government, having supplemented this information with international expertise, submitted the relevant documentation to the ICC Prosecutor’s Office to initiate an investigation. The open letter to ICC member states in support of Lithuania’s referral was signed by the following organizations: DIGNITY — Danish Institute Against Torture European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Human Constanta International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB) International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) Norwegian Helsinki Committee World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) REDRESS Human Rights Center "Viasna". Hundreds of thousands of Belarusian citizens have been forced to flee to Lithuania and other countries due to repression and persecution. In its March 2024 report, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimated that approximately 300,000 people have left Belarus since 2020. Human rights advocates are urging ICC member states to consider all available measures to hold Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable for crimes including arbitrary detention, politically motivated persecution, unfair trials, unlawful killings, sexualized violence, torture, forced labor, and enforced disappearances. They call on states to conduct national investigations and prosecutions based on universal jurisdiction to ensure accountability for all those responsible for the crimes committed by Lukashenko and his associates. Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, stated: " We deeply value the support from leading international human rights organizations in seeking accountability for the crimes committed against the Belarusian people. In turn, we will continue our systematic and targeted efforts to facilitate justice for the crimes committed by Lukashenko and his accomplices in Belarus. We will not step back from our primary goal: accountability for crimes against the Belarusian people must be achieved. And it will be achieved ".

The National Anti-Crisis Management continues to document the facts of the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children  from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Belarus and their subsequent indoctrination in Belarus. Over the past month, the NAM has gathered and documented additional data on the timing and locations of Ukrainian children’s transfers from the so-called “Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics” to Belarus in 2023 and 2024. This effort is part of the ongoing documentation process of war crimes committed by Lukashenko and his accomplices, initiated by the NAM in April 2023. Key Results of the Effort: 1. An additional eight arrivals of groups of children from temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine to Belarus have been identified , covering the period from April 2023 to September 2024. The information and details of these transfers have been meticulously documented. 2. The document prepared by the NAU’s legal team includes: Dates and locations of the children’s stays during the specified period; Circumstances and reasons for their relocation; The program of activities they were engaged in while in Belarus; Sources used to verify data (photos, videos, documents). Furthermore, efforts are underway to identify and gather information about employees of the Alexey Talai Charitable Foundation, who are actively involved in the war crime  of illegally transferring Ukrainian children from occupied regions of Ukraine to Belarus. Special attention is being paid to uncovering funding channels and the organizational structure behind the children’s relocation to ensure the legal accountability of all involved parties. The collected data will be submitted to national and international justice bodies. “We will continue our efforts to hold Lukashenko and his accomplices accountable for their crimes on multiple fronts, and the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children — constituting a war crime — is one of these. We will keep gathering additional evidence to supplement the two communications on this crime by the Lukashenko regime that we previously submitted to the International Criminal Court in 2023,” stated Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and head of the NAM.

Press Release The Hague, 30 September 2024 The Government of the Republic of Lithuania, pursuant to Articles 13(a) and 14 of the Rome Statute, on 30 September 2024, referred to the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) the situation in the Republic of Belarus for investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor of the Court. In its referral, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania stated that there were reasonable grounds to believe that since 1 May 2020, and continuing, crimes against humanity - including deportation, persecution and other inhumane acts - have been carried out against the civilian population of Belarus, at the behest of senior Belarusian political, law enforcement and military officials, and that part of the element of these crimes was committed on the territory of Lithuania, bringing such crimes temporally, territorially, and materially (by subject-matter) within the jurisdiction of the Court. It was also reasonable to believe that part of the elements of these crimes was committed, and continues to be committed, on the territory of other States Parties. The requirements for admissibility and the interests of justice were manifestly met. The rationale and basis for the referral is as follows. Since May 2020, President Lukashenko, together with the senior leaders of the government including the military, state security, law enforcement, judiciary and other agents of the Republic of Belarus (collectively, the ‘Belarusian regime’) have waged a campaign against the civilian population of Belarus which has included, the following underlying unlawful acts: serious deprivation of fundamental rights; arbitrary detention, prosecution, and conviction; serious unlawful violence; unlawful killings; sexual violence; physical and mental harm; torture, inhuman and degrading treatment; intimidation and harassment; forced labour; and enforced disappearance among several others. This campaign has been waged against the civilian population in Belarus, and specifically real or perceived political opponents. The conduct of the Belarusian regime amounts to a widespread and systematic attack on the civilian population, pursuant to a State policy to eliminate all opposition and dissent. As part of this attack, the regime has forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands of lawful residents of Belarus to the territories of neighbouring Lithuania, and other States Parties including those that neighbour Belarus, without grounds permitted under international law. Such displacement, which is known as deportation (as it is over a border), has occurred through various underlying acts/conduct noted above, including through expulsion or other coercive acts, or other linked crimes, and were perpetrated on political grounds. The deportation was a key goal of the Belarusian regime’s attack – to rid itself, by any means, of all critics and opponents in order to consolidate the regime’s authoritarian hold on power. All direct perpetrators, their commanders and superiors were clearly aware of the attack, and there are demonstrable links between the expulsions, threats and other key contributors to the coercive environment and the overall attack leading to unlawful deportation. Together these actions constitute crimes against humanity of three distinct types: (a) unlawful deportation, (b) persecution, and (c) other inhumane acts and possibly other linked crimes. Whilst the Republic of Belarus is not a State Party to the ICC, the Court may exercise its jurisdiction where at least part of the conduct takes place in the territory of a State Party – in this case, victims crossing into the territories of Lithuania, and other States Parties, as a result of expulsion or other coercive acts and/or other linked crimes. Lithuania, and other affected State Parties to the Court, has accepted the jurisdiction of the Court over all Rome Statute crimes taking place on their territory before the occurrence of the alleged crimes being referred. The Government’s referral is the first time a State Party has referred a situation in a NonState Party under the jurisdictional basis which provides that so long as part of the unlawful conduct occurs on the territory of a State Party then the Court could have jurisdiction (established under the Myanmar/Bangladesh precedent, and in circumstances where the Prosecutor/Court was not already acting). As such, the Government of Lithuania has respectfully requested that the Office of the Prosecutor investigate all past, ongoing and future crimes within the Court's jurisdiction, as referred, and as committed in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, and partly on the territory of Lithuania, since at least 1 May 2020. The referral being made may be considered as relating to the “Situation in the Republic of Belarus.” The special remarks session and press-conference on the issue will be held on 1st of October at 10 A.M. at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Hague, Laan van Meerdervoort 20 ( events.nl@mfa.lt ). High officials of the Lithuanian Government and the Heads of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus will be present. Official Quotes from Key Government Representatives “The Government of Lithuania has taken the lead to be the first state to make a referral of the situation in Belarus before the International Criminal Court. It has done so because it can no longer sit idly by whilst crimes against humanity continue to be committed on a vast scale in Belarus, the neighbouring country; and whilst victims languish in exile; away from their homes, families and friends. The matter is of concern to the national security issues and international community at large; impunity can no longer continue, and justice must be done and seen to be done. Lithuania has taken the first step on behalf of victims, but we urge and ask others to join us in what is essential and necessary for justice to prevail.” Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Ewelina Dobrowolska “Lithuania has been the first State to refer to the ICC concerning the situation in Ukraine, and eventually arrest warrant for Putin has been issued. Now, we make a move requesting the ICC to investigate situation in Belarus and we do expect arrest warrant for Lukashenko.” Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Ewelina Dobrowolska “The catalogue and patterns of atrocity crimes being committed by the very top of the Belarusian regime, stemming from President Lukashenko downwards, has led to thousands of victims displaced all across Europe. Lithuania has provided some measure of safety and sanctity to the Belarusian people with whom we share close bonds. The true measure of safety and human dignity will only follow when Lukashenko and his henchman are held to account in a court of law under internationally accepted and binding rules and norms. He must face the full force of the law, and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has everything before him to make this the case.” Vice-Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Gabija Grigaitė-Daugirdė “Lithuania's commitments to democracy, the rule of law and peace are not only on the political agenda, but also in taking real legal actions against those who do not respect international law, do not comply with treaties or commit crimes. At the Ministry of Justice, we work to ensure that justice prevail; we are ready to activate any existing mechanism to establish accountability for crimes and breaches of international law.” Head of Legal Representation at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr. Ričard Dzikovič “The Lithuanian Government has presented to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) a strong case establishing the criminal responsibility of the senior leadership of the Belarusian regime for crimes against humanity against the Belarusian people. These grave crimes are immense in scale, severity and seriousness and include unlawful deportation, persecution and other inhumane acts; all committed at the ultimate behest of President Lukashenko. The Prosecutor of the Court will launch an immediate investigation; and in due course, if the tests are met, will ask the judges for warrants of arrests. The request for justice - emanating from the from the victims themselves - must not go unanswered. The self-designated “last and only dictator in Europe”, may well indeed be its last, but the hope is he could also one day find himself accountable in The Hague.” Aarif Abraham, Counsel to the Lithuanian Government before the ICC [Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers] Quotes from the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus “We call on the international community to join Lithuania's efforts in holding Lukashenka accountable. This is not just about Belarus—it is about justice for all who value democratic peace. No more impunity. The International Criminal Court offers a clear path forward. We urge you to exercise your rights under Article 14 of the Rome Statute and help bring an end to this reign of terror.” Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus “The atmosphere of fear, terror, and persecution created by Lukashenka's regime has left deep scars on our people. Today, approximately 300,000 Belarusians have been forced to flee, with every thirtieth resident of Belarus now living in exile. But the regime did not stop there—Belarusians abroad continue to face persecution, as the dictator extends his policies beyond our borders, attacking us through intimidation, judicial harassment, and even criminal prosecution in absentia.” Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus “Lukashenka's regime has created an awfully efficient machine for mass persecuting and repression of the population perceived as 'disloyal.' This is not just isolated incidents of persecution, but a full-fledged state policy. Legislation has been twisted to systematically discriminate against anyone deemed unfit by the dictator. Lukashenka's own words speak of 'cleaning society' from the socalled disloyal, dissidents, and what he refers to as 'sharp-hoofed.' Such open dehumanization of the population must not go unpunished.” Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus “After Lukashenka's regime falls, Belarus will stand with the international community in upholding justice. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will be the first treaty ratified by the new Belarus. This will symbolize our firm commitment to never again allow crimes of this magnitude to go unpunished.” Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus “This is a historical day for international justice, the history of Belarus and the personal history of Lukashenko, or more precisely, the personal criminal case of the dictator, who will go down in history as an international criminal.” Mr. Pavel Latushko, Deputy-Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of National Anti-Crisis Management “Democracy in Belarus will win when accountability comes.” Mr. Pavel Latushko, Deputy-Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of National Anti-Crisis Management “After all, for the first time in history, the focus of the International Criminal Court will be on the context of large-scale international crimes in Belarus.” Mr. Pavel Latushko, Deputy-Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of National Anti-Crisis Management “Lukashenko's train to the Hague left today. Lukashenko is already on it. And he will reach his destination. Now way back for Lukashenko." Mr. Pavel Latushko, Deputy-Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of National Anti-Crisis Management Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is the ICC and how does it work? The International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) is the world’s only permanent international court with a mandate to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes; “the most serious crimes of international concern”. These three sets of crimes have some overlapping characteristics. A criminal act, such as the murder of a group of people, could be characterized as genocide, a crime against humanity, a war crime, or all three. How a crime is characterised often depends on the intent of the offender and the context in which the crime took place. The ICC is a court of last resort; this means it only acts where it is complementary to proceedings at the national level (if it is possible for them to take place) and the matter concerned is grave. The ICC only tends to act in respect of those most responsible for atrocity crimes. It has 124 members (known as, States Parties). Whether after or during the commission of alleged atrocity crimes, the ICC can only exercise jurisdiction over such crimes in one of three ways: • Where a State Party refers the crimes to the Court (State Party Referral); • Where the UN Security Council refers the crimes to the Court (UN Security Council Referral); or • Where the ICC Prosecutor initiates a preliminary examination into the crimes ( Propio Motu Investigation). More details can be found on the Court’s website here and also on the ABA-ICC Project website here. What is a State Party Referral and why is it relevant to the Situation in Belarus? A State Party referral is when any country that has ratified the Rome Statute (making them a State Party) refers alleged atrocity crimes to the Prosecutor of the Court. The atrocities must have been committed: on the territory of the State Party that makes the referral or on the territory of another State Party; or by a national from the referring State Party or another State Party. In terms of the Situation in the Republic of Belarus, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has made a State Party Referral, asking the Prosecutor of the Court to initiate an immediate investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity of deportation, persecution and other inhuman acts being carried out by senior Belarussian leaders against the civilian population of Belarus. Civilians from Belarus have been forcible displaced into Lithuania and other States Parties as a result of Belarus’s crimes. As part of the element or conduct of these crimes has occurred in Lithuania, the Government was in a position to refer the matter. What happens now that the referral has been made? The State party referral by Lithuania will enable the Prosecutor to proceed straight to an investigation, without the need for judicial approval. A case always begins with what is called a “preliminary examination” by the Prosecutor. Each preliminary examination has four phases of analysis: initial, jurisdictional, admissibility, and interest of justice assessments. The Prosecutor may move to a formal investigation if all four of these requirements are satisfied. The Prosecutor does not need the approval of the Pre-Trial Chamber (i.e. the Judges) if these criteria are met. In the case being referred by Lithuania, the Government has reasonable grounds to believe all of these aspects are satisfied. The Office of the Prosecutor, however, has to make its own independent judgment. During the formal investigation, if the Office of the Prosecutor is independently satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that one or more individuals are responsible for the crimes against humanity, as alleged, it can decide to ask the Pre-Trial Chamber [i.e. the Judges] to issue a summons or warrant of arrest against those most responsible. Why has Lithuania made a referral? What can other States and civil society do? As noted above, any State Party can make a referral. States Parties around the world are respectfully asked to consider following Lithuania in referring the Situation in Belarus to the Court because the conduct is occurring on the territories of one or more States Parties. Lithuania has referred the matter, as the crimes against humanity being committed against civilians in Belarus is a grave matter of international concern, requiring a response from the international community at large. Many thousands of victims of the Belarussian regime are present in neighbouring countries, including Lithuania, and have been given sanctuary there and both they and their families remain at risk. The matter is of the utmost urgency because the commission of crimes remains ongoing; the likelihood of irreparable harm to victims is very high; and the timely/contemporaneous documentation, and preservation of the evidence has to occur now in order to ensure future evidence and investigations can be conducted and so that perpetrators can be apprehended. The Prosecutor can ask States Parties for further information, and civil society organisations can also make submissions to the Court for the Prosecutor to consider. An investigation by the Prosecutor, and proceedings before the Court, would be necessary to avoid impunity for serious international crimes, committed by those bearing the greatest responsibility, within the jurisdiction of Court and also to act as a critical deterrent to the commission of further crimes.

Pavel Latushka:  Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus (UTC), representative of the UTC on power transition. Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and Movement for Freedom" fraction in the Coordination Council of the third convocation Lukashenko's repressive apparatus has gained such momentum that it can no longer stop. Searches, detentions, criminal cases, lists of extremists and extremist materials, political prisoners — all of this is the result of a dictator's paranoia and fear that his rule might end. And he loves his power more than anything else in life. "Eliminate all dissenters" — this is the dictator's motto. Right now, Belarus is undergoing mass political purges across the entire country: in Smarhon, Vawkavysk, Homyel, Minsk, Brest, Zhlobin, Baranavichy, Novopolotsk, Polotsk, Maladzyechna, Byerazino, and other cities, there are raids, detentions, and arrests. At his conference yesterday, Lukashenko spoke at length about the importance of ending violence, the need for peace, and dialogue. On that very same day, while he was delivering these friendly speeches, the henchmen of this duplicitous dictator intensified mass political repression across the country, which continues to this day. These widespread acts of intimidation against Belarusian society ahead of Lukashenko’s attempt to reappoint himself to the presidency reveal the dictator’s true nature. His words cannot be trusted — one must look at the facts, and they are horrifying: more than 1,300 political prisoners, ongoing repression, an atmosphere of total terror, and the complete absence of conditions for fair elections. "Enemies of the people" are essential to a dictatorship, and they can’t simply disappear. It’s no surprise that even some of his loyalists occasionally get caught up in the sweep. For the average person, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of everything that could land them in jail. I’m sure even the KGB and the Operational and Analytical Center (OAC) realize the problem the system has created for itself, but there is simply no way out. For the regime, canceling or rolling back these repressive laws, all these lists, and so on, is unthinkable. Because for the system, that would mean showing weakness. And showing weakness = collapse. So, for the regime, it’s safer to keep moving gradually toward North Korea-style totalitarianism. The lineup of so-called candidates in the so-called presidential election scheduled for January 26, 2025, speaks volumes. They’re not just spoilers; they’re a fan club, a support group for Lukashenko. Lukashenko cannot allow real competitors into the election — those who could actually defeat him.

Pavel Latushka discussed Poland's new migration strategy with the head of the Office for Foreigners (UDSC)   The main topics of the meeting held today in Warsaw between Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, and Tomasz Cytrynowicz , Head of the Office for Foreigners (UDSC) of Poland, were Poland's new migration policy and the opportunities for Belarusian citizens affected by political repression in their homeland. During the meeting, Pavel Latushka emphasized the need to maintain the possibility for Belarusians to receive international protection in Poland and highlighted problematic issues that require resolution in light of the new migration strategy. Anna Matyievskaya , the head of the "Partyzanka"  initiative and a lawyer, also participated in the meeting. Tomasz Cytrynowicz informed Pavel Latushka that 137,000 Belarusians already have residency rights in Poland, and considering pending applications, the total could reach 200,000 Belarusians in the country.  The head of the UDSC noted that the vast majority of Belarusians who have legalized their status or plan to do so will not be affected by the new strategy, which primarily aims to establish a robust barrier against illegal migration. He reassured those who have legal employment, family ties in Poland, or who advocated for democratic values in Belarus, and who adhere to Polish law, need not worry about upcoming changes in migration policy. The changes are focused on countering illegal and uncontrolled migration. Tomasz Cytrynowicz provided examples of the new migration policy changes, such as increased scrutiny on the targeted use of visas. For instance, individuals arriving in Poland on tourist visas will not be able to obtain work permits. The purpose of entry for which the visa was issued must be fulfilled, and changing it while in Poland will only be possible under exceptional family circumstances. The migration policy changes will primarily concern those who attempt to cross the border with the support of the Belarusian border service, rather than those who are legally present in Poland. These changes are linked to addressing the situation regarding the hybrid war from Belarus and Russia against Poland. It is expected that an implementation document based on the new migration strategy will be adopted, outlining a timeline for changes to Poland's current legislation. Pavel Latushka requested the inclusion of representatives from the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and civil society in a roundtable discussion about legislative changes related to Poland's migration policy. It was noted that if a decision is made to hold the roundtable, the request from Belarusian democratic forces for participation will be considered. The UTC plans to submit a formal request to the Polish Minister for Civil Society, Adriana Porowska . Tomasz Cytrynowicz also announced the initiation of a process to extend the issuance of travel documents for Belarusian citizens starting January 1, 2025, with the possibility of issuing them for two years. Biometric data will be used in the preparation of these documents. Cytrynowicz noted that there are plans to extend the validity of temporary residence permits for foreigners, which are currently issued for up to six months, considering the longer processing times for legalization cases. According to the head of the office, about 1,500 travel documents have already been issued to Belarusians this year, compared to 450 last year. The increase in issued documents is partly due to the expiration of passports, which can no longer be replaced through Belarusian consular offices. Pavel Latushka pointed out that in light of the rising repression in Belarus in recent months, especially before the so-called electoral campaign, there will likely be an increase in the number of Belarusian citizens deported from Belarus who will seek international protection in Poland. The situation concerning documents for Belarusians in Wrocław was also discussed. The head of the UDSC noted that some positive progress has been made in issuing travel documents, but challenges still remain. To streamline the application process for legalization nationwide, an electronic system for submitting residence applications is planned to be introduced next year. During the meeting, the following additional topics were discussed: The extension of the possibility for obtaining international protection . Given the increasing number of applications for international protection, Pavel Latushka expressed hope that Poland would support migrants from Belarus fleeing repression. He reminded that for many Belarusians, this step is the only opportunity to escape persecution and the violence perpetrated by Lukashenko's regime. Issues with providing documents and evidence . Due to the actions of the regime in Belarus, many forced migrants cannot present official documents confirming their persecution. However, the Belarusian diaspora and activists in Poland and other EU countries can assist in verifying cases of persecution and preparing documents. Tomasz Cytrynowicz expressed readiness to consider these circumstances when reviewing applications for international protection. Access to asylum procedures at the border, including difficulties in submitting asylum applications at the Polish-Ukrainian border. Conditions of stay in detention centers. The application of the Dublin Regulation. Pavel Latushka emphasized the importance of allowing Belarusian citizens facing difficulties in legalization in other countries to submit protection requests in Poland, where they find safer and more supportive conditions. In response, Tomasz Tomasz Cytrynowicz noted that an individual approach could be applied when addressing these issues, which would primarily be based on confirming family and active social ties in Poland. Following this meeting, negotiations are planned between Pavel Latushka and the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

"The international community must not recognize the so-called 'elections' of 2025 in Belarus. We must continue the policy of pressure and isolation on Lukashenko, support the demands of Belarusian society for free and fair elections, the release of political prisoners, and an end to repression", — stated Pavel Latushka , Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, during a meeting on October 30 with the Spanish Ambassador in Poland, Ramiro Fernández-Bachiller . During the meeting, Pavel Latushka outlined the reasons for submitting materials to the International Criminal Court regarding the situation in Belarus, concerning the crimes against humanity committed by Lukashenko's regime against Belarusians, which were submitted by the government of Lithuania on September 30, 2024. The Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management emphasized the importance of support for this appeal from Spain and other member states of the ICC. Spanish Ambassador to Poland Ramiro Fernández-Bachiller highlighted the significance of efforts to hold accountable those responsible for crimes against the Belarusian people and expressed readiness to convey this information to the leadership of the Spanish Foreign Ministry. " The issuance of an arrest warrant for Lukashenko creates a situation where political elites will have to choose: continue to support Lukashenko and risk accountability in The Hague or distance themselves from him and avoid consequences ", — stressed Pavel Latushka. The Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management provided the Spanish ambassador with a memorandum detailing the facts of repression in Belarus, which make any independent political activity within the country impossible, thus rendering these “elections” undemocratic. At the initiative of the Spanish ambassador, a briefing by Pavel Latushko for ambassadors of EU member states on the topic of “non-elections” in Belarus has been scheduled. " We must not allow the regime to 'turn the page' without facing accountability and while continuing mass violations of human rights ", — stated Pavel Latushka during the meeting on October 30 with the Bulgarian Ambassador to Poland, Margarita Ganeva , and representatives of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry . A key topic of discussion was the so-called "elections" scheduled by Lukashenko for January 26, 2025. Pavel Latushka outlined the situation faced by Belarusians within the country, the atmosphere of total terror created by the regime, and informed them about the ongoing daily repressions. He also provided the Bulgarian ambassador and representatives of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry with a memorandum detailing all circumstances that prevent the upcoming electoral campaign from being competitive, free, and democratic. Bulgarian representatives agreed with the assessment regarding the absence of conditions for competitive elections in Belarus. Pavel Latushka appealed to the Bulgarian ambassador and representatives of the Foreign Ministry of that country to join Lithuania’s referral to the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC for investigating crimes against humanity committed against Belarusians by Lukashenko's regime. During the two meetings, the ambassadors of Spain and Bulgaria expressed their support for the democratic forces in Belarus, thanking for the information provided and emphasizing the importance of the Belarusian democratic forces' stance on these issues.

"We highly appreciate the statement adopted by the European Parliament, which once again underscores the unwavering support for the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. The statement accurately reflects the current reality in Belarus, where elections continue to be used not as a mechanism for expressing the will of the people but as a tool for seizing power. After the falsified elections of 2020, Belarusians have faced an unprecedented level of violence and human rights violations. European lawmakers are also aware of this horrifying statistic: over 1,300 political prisoners, thousands arrested, and hundreds of thousands forced to leave Belarus in search of safety. The rights and freedoms that are crucial for every Belarusian, including the right to participate in voting, continue to be violated by the regime. Today, any elections without transparent conditions and without the participation of international observers are nothing but a farce. We thank the members of the European Parliament for this document, which not only condemns the actions of the regime but also sends a clear signal that the Belarusian people deserve free choice and respect for their rights. Belarus deserves a future in which every citizen can freely vote and determine the fate of their country without fear, threats, or coercion. We will continue to fight for these rights and for the return of our country to the path of democracy".

"It is crucial for us to hold Lukashenko accountable for the crimes he has committed", — stated Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM), during a meeting with Belgian Ambassador Rik van Droogenbroeck  and General Representative of Flanders to Poland Matthias de Moor . Pavel Latushka continues consultations with ambassadors and diplomats from EU member states and other democratic countries on using international justice mechanisms to bring Lukashenko and his accomplices to justice, as well as to support democratic reforms in Belarus. In October, Pavel Latushka met with representatives from Foreign Ministries, ambassadors, and diplomats from Ireland, Belgium, Latvia, Austria, Estonia, Hungary, Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other countries. During the meeting, Pavel Latushka informed his interlocutors about the fact that the Lithuanian Government has submitted materials on the crimes of Lukashenko and his accomplices to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pavel Latushka presented the Aide-memoir and materials containing evidence for the investigation of crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people. The NAM Head stressed that it is particularly important at this time for partner countries, including Belgium, to support the ICC submission. The Belgian Ambassador assured him that these documents would be forwarded to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and highlighted the significance of the NAM’s work in this direction. During the discussion, Pavel Latushka urged the Belgian Government not to recognize the "elections" scheduled by the regime for January 26, 2025, citing, among other reasons, that: The elections cannot be free and fair due to the climate of fear and political repression; There is no possibility of an honest vote count; Conditions for independent observation and parallel vote counting are absent; Opposition politicians are imprisoned or in exile, with over 1,300 political prisoners; Laws prevent alternative candidates from participating if they are being persecuted or live abroad; Independent media have been eliminated and declared extremist; All 11 opposition parties have been dissolved, and over 1,700 NGOs (more than 50%) have been closed; Voters face intimidation and pressure; Belarusians abroad are denied the right to vote, despite past practices of voting at overseas polling stations; The regime does not intend to invite international observers, undermining the credibility of the elections. Pavel Latushka briefed his interlocutors on the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and emphasized the importance of their release. The need to end the ongoing daily repression in the country was also underscored. Pavel Latushka further informed the Belgian Ambassador that Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces and units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs under the Lukashenko regime are preparing to suppress protests in Belarus. He also raised concerns about statements from the Russian side indicating a readiness to interfere in Belarusian internal affairs and deploy Russian armed forces to suppress protests in Belarus. The Representative of Flanders highlighted that the coalition agreement of the new Flemish Government — the largest region in Belgium — prioritizes support for democratic forces in Belarus. The Belgian Ambassador and the General Representative of Flanders expressed their support for the democratic forces of Belarus, thanked Pavel Latushka for the information, and reiterated their commitment to supporting the Belarusian people.

The topic of Latvia supporting the Lithuanian government refers to the International Criminal Court to investigate the situation related to crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people was discussed during a meeting between the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management Pavel Latushka , and the Latvian Ambassador to Poland, Juris Poikāns . During the meeting, Pavel Latushka handed over a Aide-mémoire  and materials related to the collected evidence base and justifications for the investigation of crimes against humanity committed against the Belarusian people by the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC, with a request to transfer these materials to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. An agreement was reached to continue cooperation, as well as to exchange information on the prospects of the ICC investigating the crimes of Lukashenko and his associates. "For us, Latvia's support is crucial in holding representatives of Lukashenko's regime accountable for crimes against humanity" , noted Pavel Latushka. As the leader of the fraction in the Coordination Council, Pavel Latushka also handed over to the Latvian Ambassador the resolution of the Coordination Council " On Appeals for Visa Facilitation and Improvement of Border Movement Concerning Belarusians ", requesting that it be forwarded to the Latvian Parliament, and emphasized the importance of maintaining mobility for Belarusians when visiting the European Union. Pavel Latushka continues active consultations with ambassadors and diplomats from EU member states and other democratic countries on the use of international justice mechanisms to hold Lukashenko and his accomplices   accountable, as well as on supporting democratic reforms in Belarus. Meetings have already been held between Pavel Latushka and representatives of the foreign ministries, ambassadors, and diplomats of Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, and other countries.

In 2025, so-called presidential elections will take place in Belarus, but in reality, these will be non-elections because the right to vote has been stolen from the people. The electoral campaign is being conducted in the context of a deep political crisis in the Republic of Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko unlawfully holds power through repression against the Belarusian society, relying on support from the Kremlin. At present, more than 1,300 people are officially recognized as political prisoners, and potential candidates have been unlawfully imprisoned or forced into exile. Due to repression, Belarusians will not be able to see democratic candidates on the ballots, nor will they be able to participate in rallies and the campaign. Fearing another defeat in the elections, the regime has deregistered all opposition parties, shut down more than 1,700 civil society organizations, and closed all independent media. This situation is even further from free elections than ever before in Belarus. We demand an end to all forms of repression, the release of all political prisoners, the realization of the right of all citizens of Belarus to fully participate in the elections regardless of their place of residence, the guarantee of freedom of assembly and equal access to the media, as well as the conduct of elections in accordance with international OSCE standards and under the supervision of observers. If these demands are not met by the regime, we consider what will happen in 2025 to be a mere imitation of the electoral process and propose that people protest by voting against all those who steal our right to vote. We also propose other ways to express protest depending on how the situation develops. In this way, we will show that Belarusian society continues to stand against Lukashenko and demands free and fair elections. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus Coordination Council of Belarus

Thanks to the joint efforts of lawyers from the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) and the legal firm "KOPEĆ & ZABOROWSKI", a decision by the Warsaw District Court has been secured, effectively opening up the possibility for justice on behalf of Belarusian citizens who have been subjected to torture in Belarus. The main legal question hindering progress on these cases was whether Poland could take jurisdiction over crimes committed outside its borders, involving individuals who are not Polish citizens.  After reviewing the legal arguments, the court answered affirmatively: yes, in cases involving crimes of a terrorist nature. The District Court’s decision is based on two articles of Polish Criminal Law: Article 110, Paragraph 1  of the Polish Criminal Code, which addresses crimes of a terrorist nature, and Article 113 , which provides for prosecution based on international treaties.  Together, these provisions create grounds to petition Polish prosecutors to investigate cases involving torture committed against Belarusian citizens. During the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the current status of criminal investigations prompted by complaints from Belarusian citizens, and a strategy was developed for further actions by the NAM and the legal firm "KOPEĆ & ZABOROWSKI" in working with Polish prosecutors on these cases. For example, the National Prosecutor's Office in Poland, in its Department for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption in Lublin, has already accumulated 70 volumes of documentation on crimes committed by representatives of the Lukashenko regime, including crimes against Belarusian citizens. "We understand that the path to achieving justice, unfortunately, requires considerable time, but the NAM team will continue working diligently to ensure that those responsible for crimes against Belarusians are not able to evade criminal accountability" , stated NAM head Pavel Latushka .

Pavel Latushka:  Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus (UTC), representative of the UTC on power transition. Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and Movement for Freedom" fraction in the Coordination Council of the third convocation During a meeting with Putin on September 15, 2023, Lukashenko suggested that Minsk, Moscow, and Pyongyang could consider "trilateral cooperation". "North Korea, Russia. I think there will be work for Belarus too, given the current issues", remarked the dictator. Notably, this meeting took place shortly after Putin's meeting with Kim Jong Un on September 13, 2023, in Russia, where they discussed military cooperation, including the potential supply of North Korean weapons and ammunition to Russia to continue the war in Ukraine. Following this, Lukashenko intensified diplomatic meetings with North Korean leadership. On April 16, 2024, Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Shestakov arrived in Pyongyang, and on April 18, he held talks with North Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Im Chon Il. Later, on July 23, 2024, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov arrived in Pyongyang at the invitation of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Interestingly, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry described this visit as a "reciprocal" one, although no official information about a North Korean delegation visiting Minsk had been reported. At the same time, a Russian military delegation led by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko was also in Pyongyang. Experts at iSANS, along with the National Anti-Crisis Management team, have assessed the recent increase in Lukashenko's regime’s interactions with North Korea and reached two main conclusions: A high likelihood exists that Lukashenko himself is preparing for a visit to Pyongyang. Lukashenko, a puppet of Putin, is integrating into Putin's network of relationships with North Korea and, more broadly, aligning himself with the emerging "Axis of Evil" linking Pyongyang, Beijing, Moscow, Minsk, and Tehran. Although no official information has been released, the cooperation that Lukashenko’s regime is engaging in primarily focuses on military-technical cooperation, the transfer of military technology, and cooperation on weapons production. It is widely understood that both North Korea and Belarus are allied with Russia in the war against Ukraine. Both nations actively manufacture and supply weapons and ammunition to Russia. Thus, military-political cooperation between Lukashenko and Kim Jong Un's regimes is entirely predictable. Moreover, as Russia, Belarus, and North Korea all face extensive sanctions, one of the primary areas of their collaboration is expected to involve joint efforts to circumvent these existing sanctions.