Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and Head of the People's Anti-Crisis Management, held a meeting with Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, the new Marshal of the Senate of Poland, at the invitation of the Polish side. The Belarusian delegation included Oleg Kulesha, an activist from the association of Belarusian political prisoners "Da Voli," Natallia Zadziarkouskaya, the Director of the Free Belarus Museum, blogger Artsiom Shaparov, freestyle dissident athlete and world champion in sambo Stepan Popov, and Igor Sigov, an actor from the troupe "Free Kupalautsy." Pavel Latushkaa acknowledged the significance and pivotal role of Poland in formulating the European Union's collective policy towards the Lukashenko regime, as well as in providing support to Belarusian society and the democratic forces in Belarus. During the meeting, Latushko emphasized the importance of holding Lukashenko accountable and increasing sanctions pressure on the regime. He also informed about a previous meeting with the new Minister of Justice of Poland, Adam Bodnar, and plans for further meetings at the Ministry of Justice. The Belarusian representatives expressed solidarity with the Polish ethnic minority in Belarus and highlighted the case of Andrzej Poczobut, a political prisoner of the Lukashenko regime. The representatives of Belarusian civil society presented several key points during the meeting, including: Updating the international agenda regarding political detentions in Belarus and the release of prisoners. The significance of issuing visas for citizens of Belarus, including political prisoners who have been released, to visit European Union countries. Supporting free Belarusian athletes and providing appropriate organizational and financial assistance to those who require it to continue their sports careers. Backing for independent media in Belarus. The necessity of establishing a theatrical platform in Warsaw for Belarusian theater artists. The Marshal of the Senate emphasized the importance of supporting free Belarusian athletes and preventing double sanctions against them, where the regime restricts their participation in international competitions, and international sports organizations fail to provide opportunities for their involvement. Małgorzata Kidawo-Błońska expressed her willingness to address this issue with the new Minister of Sports of Poland. The discussion also addressed the support for Belarusian culture abroad, including the creation of a theatrical platform for the "Free Kupalautsy" and other Belarusian theater groups operating in Poland. The Marshal of the Senate expressed support for establishing such a platform in Poland to preserve Belarusian culture and facilitate its relocation to a new democratic Belarus. Assistance was requested for a meeting between representatives of the agricultural sector and the new Minister of Culture of Poland. Pavel Latushka raised the issue of the legalization of Belarusians in Poland and sought assistance in establishing contacts between the agricultural sector and the new leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Poland. During the meeting, the Marshal of the Senate emphasized the importance of supporting Belarusian society and the democratic forces during this challenging time for Belarus. She affirmed that the Polish parliament stands on the side of the Belarusian democratic forces. The head of the Senate agreed that the scheduled electoral event in present-day Belarus cannot be considered an election. She also expressed readiness to discuss the issues raised by representatives of the Belarusian public in collaboration with members of the new Polish government. An agreement was reached to hold regular meetings to discuss and resolve the problem of the Belarusian diaspora in Poland.

Yesterday, on December 21, 2023, the Seimas of Latvia issued a statement calling for the prosecution of representatives of the Lukashenko regime. The statement specifically condemned the deliberate, illegal, and systematic displacement of children from Ukraine to Russia and Belarus. This action by the Seimas demonstrates Riga's stance on the illegal activities carried out by Lukashenko and his associates in the unlawful transportation and re-education of Ukrainian children. During the meeting on December 21, 2023, the Seimas of Latvia strongly condemned the illegal and forced transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus by Russia and Belarus themselves, highlighting that this act violates international humanitarian law. The Seimas emphasized that such actions constitute war crimes and genocide aimed at eradicating Ukrainian national identity. Furthermore, the Seimas of Latvia expressed its support for the investigation initiated by the International Criminal Court, which aims to identify and prosecute those responsible for committing war crimes against humanity on Ukrainian territory. The National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) team has shared information regarding the involvement of the Lukashenko regime in the illegal displacement of Ukrainian children with the competent authorities of European countries, including Latvia. The NAM team has compiled evidence and legal analysis concerning the participation of the Lukashenko regime in a war crime involving the unlawful transportation of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Belarus. Based on the gathered materials, the NAM team submitted a two-part communication on Article 15 of the Rome Statute, focusing on the illegal deportation or transfer of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories to Belarus. These communications were submitted to the International Criminal Court on June 27 and November 7, 2023. The communications serve as a compilation of evidence and a legal assessment of the illegal transportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories to Belarus, covering the period from September 2022 to May 2023. The NAM team will continue its efforts to gather evidence supporting the claim that the Lukashenko regime has committed a war crime through the illegal displacement of Ukrainian children.

A total of 179 athletes affiliated with military or armed structures under Lukashenko's regime have been identified. The United Transitional Cabinet and the NAM team have shared this list with international partners, including the Foreign Ministries of France and Germany. During a meeting in Paris between Pavel Latushka, the Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, representatives of the NAM team, and Samuel Ducroquet, the Sports Ambassador of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions were held regarding the verification of athletes declared by the Lukashenko regime for potential participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The French representative expressed readiness to fully comply with the current criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which does not allow participation of athletes affiliated with armed or military structures in Belarus. Among the athletes announced by the regime to participate in the Paris Olympic Games are Vanessa Kaladzinskaya (freestyle wrestling) and Anastasia Shkurdai (swimming). The National Anti-Crisis Management team has informed the IOC, UWW (United World of Wrestling), and the host country of the 2024 Olympic Games about the affiliation of Vanessa Kaladzinskaya with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Lukashenko regime. Relevant documents confirming the affiliation of Anastasia Shkurdai with the Armed Forces during her previous Olympic Games participation have also been sent to the IOC by the NAM. On December 19, Lukashenko signed a "decree" awarding the "Belarusian Sports Olympus" award, which included Vanessa Kaladzinskaya among its recipients. The "decree" explicitly states that the athlete belongs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Lukashenko regime. This published "decree" confirms the information provided by the NAM team regarding Vanessa Kaladzinskaya. Consequently, based on the established criteria for Belarusian passport holders, it is deemed impossible for Vanessa Kaladzinskaya and other athletes affiliated with power or military bodies to participate in the Olympic Games. Individual athletes with a Belarusian passport who meet the IOC criteria will be eligible to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. However, athletes who actively support the war or have affiliations with armed or military bodies will not be considered for participation. Additionally, officials and government members will not be invited to the games in Paris. The NAM team will continue to collaborate with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify the eligibility of athletes for participation in the Olympic Games in Paris.

Yury Hubarevich: Responsible for regional development at NAM Yury Hubarevich, responsible for regional development at NAM, recently appeared on the Belsat News channel to discuss the "Personnel Reserve" program. The "Personnel Reserve" program aims to train administrators for various positions within the public administration system, not only at the central level but also in regional administrations. The program recognizes the need for new individuals in Belarus who are untainted by the crimes committed by the Lukashenko regime, individuals who have not dismissed subordinates based on their political views or organized election fraud. In certain areas, a complete replacement of personnel will be required. These individuals will need to be sourced and ideally trained so that they possess an understanding of how the state system operates, how decisions are made, and how to effectively manage teams. A comprehensive training system has been established to ensure these individuals are well-prepared. However, the first step is to identify proactive individuals who envision themselves within this system and have a desire to serve in public office, actively contribute to the changes, and implement public policies aligned with new democratic politics. The "Personnel Reserve" program serves as a means to support Belarus and its citizens. It represents an investment in the future and an opportunity for democratic forces in Belarus to bring about prepared and meaningful changes within the country.

On December 18, 2023, the Council of the European Union approved the 12th package of sanctions against Russia. The sanctions include 12 officials and military members of Lukashenko's regime, 10 of whom were proposed by the NAM team for inclusion in the sanctions lists, along with the relevant justifications. The individuals included in the sanctions lists are as follows: Aleh Mishchanka, First Deputy Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee. Aliaksandr Rakhmanau, Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council. Pavel Muraveyka, First Deputy State Secretary of the Security Council. Valery Ravenka, Head of the Department of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense. Vasili Herasimau, Chairman of the State Control Committee. Siarhei Lahadziuk, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus. Viachaslau Rasalai, Deputy Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee of Belarus. The full list of individuals subjected to sanctions is available at the provided link. The National Anti-Crisis Management welcomes the imposition of personal restrictive measures and emphasizes the importance of aligning economic sanctions against the Lukashenko regime and Russia. The NAM team will continue its efforts to hold the guilty accountable and advocate for the expansion of sanctions against the Lukashenko regime.

In light of the petition initiated by several members of the Coordination Council, calling for the dissolution of the second composition of the Coordination Council of Belarus due to a crisis of reputation, we find it crucial to present our principled stance on this matter: We firmly believe that the roots of the crisis within the second composition of the Coordination Council can be traced back to the delegation procedure implemented during its reform. We advocate for direct elections to the Coordination Council, without the use of quotas or complicated electoral procedures involving three electoral votes. We consider direct elections to be the most democratic approach in forming the third composition of the Coordination Council. It is imperative that organizational and technical preparations for the elections take place as soon as possible. We propose that the decision regarding the elections for the Constitutional Court be made by an organizing committee composed of diverse actors from the democratic forces in Belarus. We emphasize the importance of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's approval of the organizing committee's decision. Preserving the Coordination Council as a representative body of Belarusian democratic forces and enhancing its efficiency is one of the key priorities for the entire democratic movement. We consistently insist on the necessity of conducting direct elections for the third composition of the Coordination Council and call upon our partners within the democratic movement to support this approach. December 16, 2023

Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet, Pavel Latushka, held meetings at the headquarters of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg with the permanent representatives of Austria, Poland, Ukraine, and the European Union to the Council of Europe During the meetings, Pavel Latushka presented information about the internal political situation in Belarus and the ongoing mass attacks on civilians by the Lukashenko regime. The main results of the meetings were as follows: Information on war crimes was presented, and possible mechanisms for bringing Lukashenko and his accomplices to justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of aggression were outlined. An agreement was reached to make efforts to ensure that during the upcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the importance of holding Lukashenko accountable for the crimes of the regime would be noted. The issue of the release of political prisoners and possible actions of the Council of Europe in this context were discussed. During the meeting, it was emphasized that the Council of Europe, considering the institutionalization of cooperation between the democratic forces of Belarus and the United States and the European Union, is also ready to continue and develop institutional cooperation. Representatives of NAM expressed gratitude that the Council of Europe became the first international organization to recognize the democratic forces of Belarus as a partner and regularly interact with institutions and non-governmental organizations of the democratic forces of Belarus. The Council of Europe is also ready to provide advisory assistance to the democrats of Belarus in organizing elections for the Coordination Council using Internet technologies. The international organization has relevant developments. Preparations for the next meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which will take place at the end of January and during which it is planned to adopt a "roadmap" of cooperation with the democratic forces of Belarus until Belarus' accession to the Council of Europe, were discussed. The "roadmap" is currently in the stage of substantive discussion.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador Not long ago, a meeting took place in the United Arab Emirates between Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the head of the world's wealthiest family, and dictator Lukashenko, the leader of Belarus and a member of one of the richest families in the country. Lukashenko's primary source of wealth is his power. Through the unlawful seizure of unlimited power, he manages to amass enormous wealth that surpasses the wildest dreams of many successful businessmen in Belarus and abroad. Lukashenko has established a vast personal business empire known as the "Presidential administration." Ostensibly a government organization, it serves the sole purpose of meeting the needs of one person. It operates as a separate state within the country, freely exploiting the national heritage and most lucrative businesses. Another method employed by Lukashenko to accumulate wealth is the distribution of various privileges to those in his inner circle. Through secretive and exclusive decrees, he grants free land for long-term leases or outright ownership, exempts individuals from taxes and other financial obligations to the state, and provides numerous other preferential treatments. These advantages create non-competitive benefits for the chosen few close to him, enabling them to generate substantial profits. These profits are subsequently funneled abroad and deposited into secret accounts held by Lukashenko's family and inner circle. Lukashenko's business interests are not confined to Belarus alone; he also has economic stakes outside the country. Numerous trading houses and companies trade products from Belarusian state-owned enterprises, with the majority of the profits flowing directly to Lukashenko's family, while some are retained by his associates. One such example is AFTRADE, a company registered in the UAE, associated with Alexander Zingman and Viktor Sheiman. Similar entities exist across Asia and Africa, engaged in trading weapons, fertilizers, petroleum products, and mining diamonds and gold. All of these operations are controlled by Lukashenko, his sons, and individuals within the dictator's inner circle. Over his long 30-year rule, Lukashenko's business empire has expanded significantly, effectively becoming a closed joint-stock company known as "Lukashenko and Sons," encompassing financial and industrial sectors. The kleptocratic family's interests lie not in counting the votes stolen from the Belarusian people but rather in counting the ill-gotten gains they have acquired. Consequently, one should not expect Lukashenko to build a socially just state. Instead, he ensures such benefits solely for himself and his immediate circle. What Belarus truly needs is a state that upholds the rights of all its citizens, rather than one that grants privileges to a dictator who fancies himself as the master of the entire nation.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador The financial sector holds paramount importance in the Belarusian economy, playing a crucial role in the public administration system. Sanctions targeting the financial sector have a significant impact on the overall functioning of the economy. However, one may question whether the current sanctions measures are sufficient. The banking sector represents a key component of the financial sector. The largest banks in Belarus, along with the National Bank and the Ministry of Finance, are currently under sanctions imposed by the EU, the USA, and several other democratic nations worldwide. Prominent financial institutions such as the EBRD, World Bank, and EIB have suspended their cooperation with the Belarusian public sector. Additionally, many international financial markets have closed doors to new placements of Belarusian securities. Numerous sanctions directly affect the Belarusian banking sector. For instance, specific Belarusian banks have been disconnected from the international interbank system for information transmission and payment processing, namely SWIFT. Simultaneously, financing programs and credit lines from international financial institutions have been curtailed. Nevertheless, due to the gradual implementation of sanctions over time, the Belarusian financial system has largely adapted to the restrictive measures. Consequently, the need for optimizing sanctions pressure has become pressing. One effective measure to combat evasion of restrictions could be the more active utilization of secondary sanctions against violators of the existing measures. By making the prospect of being sanctioned more realistic for potential and current evaders, European and, primarily, American partners should employ their secondary sanctions tools and demonstrate enforcement against entities that aid those who are on the sanction lists. This is one method to enhance the effectiveness of sanctions pressure. Moreover, there are at least four other important tools to ensure the efficacy of sanctions in the banking sector: Freezing the assets of the National Bank of Belarus in the United States. Blocking correspondent accounts of Belarusian banks in the EU, USA, and other democratic countries. Imposing a ban on the import of dollar bills into Belarus. Searching for and freezing the assets of individuals and companies subject to sanctions. The Lukashenko regime not only continues to violate the rights of Belarusians but also poses a threat to the entire region. The regime's relentless and systematic attacks on civil society, along with the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity, provide ample justification for tightening sanctions against the regime. Effective sanctions serve as a tool to prevent such actions. Therefore, it is crucial to effectively employ all available means of exerting pressure on the regime.

Pavel Latushka: Deputy head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the Anti-Crisis Management, Ambassador The 22nd Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, which is one of the most significant events in the work of the International Criminal Court, concluded last week at the UN headquarters in New York. It is important to note that this is the same International Criminal Court that issues arrest warrants for international criminals. This Assembly is of utmost importance for civil society and experts involved in the fight against impunity for the most serious international crimes. It provides them with an opportunity to observe the interaction between States and the Court, express their views, and draw attention to the most severe situations involving such crimes. The National Anti-Crisis Management made every effort to ensure that this year, the participants in the International Criminal Court Assembly were informed about the heinous crimes committed by Lukashenko and the top military-political leadership of his regime on a daily basis. The results of this work will soon become evident. However, it is crucial to recognize that achieving maximum results requires much more effort and the unification of all forces within Belarusian civil society. Unity is what we truly need. Currently, there is a problem of insufficient attention to the situation in Belarus and the international crimes being committed within our country. Key players in the field of international criminal justice are largely focused on global contexts that extend beyond the European continent. This includes the Palestinian-Israeli war, armed conflicts in Africa, the situation in Myanmar, and more. Unfortunately, even within the framework of Russia's war against Ukraine, many representatives of the international community are still unaware of or do not understand the role played by the leadership of Belarus in initiating this war and committing further crimes. As a result, the daily crimes committed against the Belarusian civilian population tend to fade from the view of the international expert community and policymakers. What needs to be done? The current state of affairs requires maximum mobilization and the unification of efforts from the entire Belarusian civil society to draw attention to the atrocities taking place in our country, including crimes against humanity targeting the civilian population in Belarus and war crimes against Ukrainian children. NAM is dedicated to fulfilling this task on a daily basis. It is also necessary to develop a more systematic approach to collecting facts about crimes committed in Belarus. Democratic Belarus needs a permanent presence in the coalition of organizations that defend the ideals of international criminal justice and promote the work of the International Criminal Court, particularly regarding the responsibility of the Lukashenko regime for the crimes committed. It is important to remember that the absence of Belarus among the parties to the Rome Statute does not mean that the mechanism of the International Criminal Court is inaccessible to address Lukashenko's crimes. In their atrocities, the Belarusian dictator and representatives of his regime have gone far beyond the borders of Belarus. Today, there is no doubt about the Court's jurisdiction over a number of crimes committed by these individuals. The National Anti-Crisis Management will make every effort to contribute to solving these problems. Belarusian society can and should be represented in the community of states and organizations that promote justice through the International Criminal Court.

Photo by Gennady Veretinsky A Christmas party for the children of Belarusian political prisoners took place at the Free Belarus Museum. Photo by Gennady Veretinsky. On December 16, the National Anti-Crisis Management and the Free Belarus Museum organized a Christmas charity event for the families of Belarusian political prisoners. Little Belarusians and their parents were treated to the play "Uh-huh! Christmas news from the forest" performed by the theater troupe "DzeYa Druhaya," as well as sweets and gifts. Addressing the young participants of the event, Pavel Latushka, the head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, reminded them that “they should be proud of their parents and proud that they are Belarusians. Adults, on their behalf, will do everything to make their common dream come true - for Belarus to become a free country.” Pavel Latushka also expressed gratitude to the General Representation of Flanders in Poland and the Baltic countries, which co-financed the event. He personally thanked its head, Tomas Castrel, and also extended gratitude to the Belarusian Association of Political Prisoners "Da Volі" for their assistance in organizing the event.

Original article: dw.com Recently, a report on the abduction of Ukrainian children and their transfer to Belarus was published by the Americans. Pavel Latushka informed DW that Belarusian democratic emigration communities have already submitted a second communication package to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Mr. Ambassador, what information is available regarding the children abducted from Ukraine and taken to Belarus? The National Anti-Crisis Management has been gathering information on the cooperation between the Lukashenko regime and Russia in this matter for the past six months. According to our data, children were transported to Belarus from approximately 20 occupied Ukrainian cities and towns in groups ranging from several dozen to 350 children. This information is also confirmed by Yale University in the United States. On November 16, the Humanitarian Research Laboratory of the university's School of Public Health published a report stating that nearly 2,500 children were illegally trafficked to Belarus from the occupied territories of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson regions. This November report builds upon the findings of the February report regarding the displacement of Ukrainian children to Russian territory, their subsequent adoption, and the issuance of arrest warrants for Maria Lvova-Belova and Vladimir Putin. The new report expands on the involvement of the Lukashenko regime in this matter. Were these children transported through Russian territory? Was there no other route? Based on our knowledge, they were transported by train through Rostov-on-Don to Minsk and then to various camps in Belarus. According to the US, there are 13 such locations in Belarus, of which we are aware of six. Could you provide the names of any of these camps? The most significant one is the Dubrava camp in the Soligorsk district of the Minsk region. It serves as a recreational center for the Belaruskali company, a major producer of potash fertilizers based in Soligorsk. The head of the company is Senator Ivan Golovaty, who is also the godfather of Lukashenko's youngest son, Nikolai. According to Yale University's report, more than two thousand children were deported from Ukraine to Dubrava. What age group do these children belong to? They range from 6 to 17 years old. What happened to them once they arrived in Belarus? They underwent a process of re-education in line with the "Russian world" ideology. This was carried out by propagandists of the Lukashenko regime, who collaborated with organizations such as the pro-government Belarusian Republican Youth Union and the Russian motorcycle club Night Wolves. What did it actually entail? For instance, Belarusian celebrities, the Gruzdeva sisters, and singers performed for the children in Dubrava. During the performance, they expressed the following wishes for the children: "May we live in peace. And may Biden die. And Zelensky too. And God bless Putin." The Yale report also revealed that six groups of Ukrainian children had undergone military training in Belarus. At least several dozen abducted children were identified as orphans taken from Ukrainian orphanages. We have managed to establish their identities. Our legal experts believe that these facts are sufficient to classify these actions as war crimes. What are the implications of these findings? In accordance with Article 15 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, we have reported these crimes to the ICC twice, on June 27 and November 7. We submitted evidence to the prosecutor's office, corroborating the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children from the occupied regions of Ukraine to Belarus, as well as the adoption of Ukrainian orphans who were subsequently sent from Belarus to Russia. We have also shared these materials with the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, who is conducting a criminal case related to the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus. What are your objectives in filing these applications with the Court in The Hague? Firstly, we aim to put an end to the criminal acts against Ukrainian children. Secondly, we seek to ensure their safe return to Ukraine. Lastly, our third goal is to obtain an arrest warrant for Lukashenko as a Russian accomplice in these war crimes. Is Lukashenko the only individual targeted? No, there are four more individuals we seek to bring to The Hague. First and foremost is Senator Ivan Holovaty, the director of the Belaruskali company. Next is Dmitry Mezentsev, the former Russian Ambassador to Belarus and current Secretary of State of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. We also intend to pursue legal action against Olga Volkova, a Russian national and the head of the Dolphin Foundation. This foundation operates in the occupied territories of Ukraine, searching for children and sending them to Belarus. Additionally, we are requesting the prosecution of Paralympic athlete Alexei Talay, who heads a foundation named after him and has close ties to Lukashenko, having received various awards from him. Talay was recently awarded the Medal of Friendship by Putin. Talay has publicly acknowledged his involvement in the transfer of Ukrainian children to Belarus. On the foundation's website, there is a video in which Talay tells a young boy from Mariupol, "One day, you will live in a great Russia that stretches from Brest to Vladivostok." It is worth noting that Talay is a citizen of Belarus and speaks of Russia "spreading from Brest to Vladivostok"! Is the Russification of Ukrainian children in Belarus an initiative by Lukashenko or an order from Putin? According to American experts, Lukashenko should have coordinated these actions with Putin. Our information also supports this claim. In response to our initial evidence, which we submitted to the Court in The Hague on June 27, Lukashenko confirmed that he had contacted Putin and reached an agreement to bring Ukrainian children to Belarus. However, we are aware that Ukrainian children were already in Belarus prior to the full-scale war between Russia and Lukashenko against Ukraine. For example, they had already been present at the Zubrenok camp in the Minsk region in 2021. Furthermore, we know that some of the children who were taken at that time were transported to Russia and subjected to adoption procedures there.