Double standards of "mercenarism" and the armed corps of democratic forces Big interview of Artsiom Praskalovich, responsible for internal policy and public administration in NAM, to the Euroradio channel. Criminal liability for "mercenarism," introduced after 2014, since February 24, 2022, de facto applies only to pro-Ukrainian volunteers — legally it is impossible to protect them in Belarus. However, pro-Russian mercenaries should not be complacent: if the "political wind" changes, they will be hooked on the regime, and outside Belarus and Russia they will become the subject of interest of Interpol. And for life. On the decisive day, the task of the paramilitary units of the democratic forces under the leadership of the United Transitional Cabinet is the possibility of legal protection of the peaceful Belarusians in case of violence on the part of the security forces. The core of these forces will probably consist of Belarusian volunteers gaining combat experience at the fronts of Ukraine. These are not necessarily classical units with permanent deployment and specific attributes. On the surface, they could be ordinary people with the right to legally own weapons and access to training, who at the right moment will gather at a certain point under the command of a predetermined person. Such tactics are almost impossible to implement in Belarus, but are feasible abroad. The best-trained formations can be designed to resist Lukashenko's combat-ready special units, which, in fact, are not many in the overall structure of the troops. And also to deter Russian armed forces in the event of an invasion of Belarus. Other important topics of the interview: What will the NAM work on as part of the United Transitional Cabinet? What prevents Ukraine and other countries from recognizing the Lukashenko regime as terrorist? How many civil servants of the personnel reserve need to be trained for the transit period in Belarus?

The University of Warsaw in cooperation with the Free Belarusian University is recruiting candidates for a special training program in the field of self-government Requirements for candidates: Belarusian citizenship; Completed higher education; Knowledge of and interest in regional and local politics, economy, self-government; fluency in Polish at the level that allows understanding the lectures; Age: up to 40 years old (in exceptional cases older). Required documents: Completed candidate questionnaire (downloadable here); copy of Belarusian passport; Copy of university diploma/certificate together with the degree obtained; CV with information about education, previous experience, publications, dissertation topic and language skills; A cover letter. The University of Warsaw offers: Free tuition (lectures, exercises and, if possible, practice) excellent teachers at the University of Warsaw; seats limit: 50; unique modular educational program; teaching languages: Polish, Russian credits, exams, diploma at the end of the program. The program will take place entirely online. Required documents should be sent to the following address: stypendia.studium@uw.edu.pl Deadline for applications: September 10. More information on the University of Warsaw website. Yuri Gubarevich, responsible for NAM's regional development, about the program: “In independent Belarus, the first shoots of real self-government were destroyed in the mid-1990s. The vertical of power created by the regime was unable to respond to the problems and demands of the local population. Despite the long absence of a representative institution, during the events of 2020, the Belarusans uncovered the mass potential of self-organization, creation of backyard and city communities, distribution of responsibilities, solidarity and mutual assistance actions, taking responsibility for solving local problems - all the things that are the basis of real self-government. Such programs lay a solid foundation for reform in the New Belarus. New specialists, trained on the basis of the modern European experience, will find their rightful place in the joint work on rebuilding our country”. Don't miss the opportunity to get the knowledge you need to build the New Belarus!

In Prague Pavel Latushka met with the Vice-Speaker of the Czech Parliament Olga Richterova and members of the parliamentary group "Friends of Free Belarus" During the meetings the following issues were discussed: visa policy in relation to citizens of Belarus; organization of a round table in the Czech Parliament on Belarus in order to identify the most important areas of support for democratic reforms; inclusion of the KGB and Main Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK) of the Interior Ministry of Belarus into the list of Czech terrorist organizations; criminal prosecution of representatives of the Lukashenko regime for crimes against the Belarusian people and the war against Ukraine. informing about the activities of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and establishing contacts with the Parliament of the Czech Republic. During the meeting with the Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Pavel Latushka said that Belarusians should not be held responsible for the actions of Lukashenko's regime by imposing visa restrictions on Belarusian citizens. This shift of responsibility to the Belarusians is absolutely unacceptable. The NAM head drew attention to the support of the Belarusian civil society for Ukraine in the struggle against the aggression of Russia and the Lukashenko regime. The opening of the office of democratic forces of Belarus in Prague, which is scheduled for the near future, was discussed with members of the group "Friends of Free Belarus". Pavel Latushka together with Czech deputies opened the Free Belarus exhibition in the center of Prague. An agreement was reached to keep in constant contact with Czech parliamentarians in order to intensify pressure on Lukashenka's regime and bring him to account for the crimes committed against the Belarusian people and international security. Pavel Latushka also gave an interview to the Czech national television and the largest Internet portal Seznam on the activities of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus and mass repression in the country.

NAM press secretary Artsiom Brukhan in an interview with Malanka There are important differences between these two instruments of pressure: Let's say that a law enforcement officer involved in torture is banned from entering the EU, but a criminal case has already been opened against him in one of the countries. It would be difficult to involve the suspect in procedural actions (to summon him for interrogation, for example), because there would be a justifiable reason for evasion — the entry ban. The "sieve effect". The sanctions ban on border crossings is often imperfect in practice. An example of this is the story of the head of the Belarusian Football Federation, Bazanov, who was spotted on EU territory, although his name was on the stop list. Sanctions are a political tool, and politics have the ability to change. Unlike sanctions restrictions, criminal prosecutions under universal jurisdiction have no statute of limitations and are not subject to cancellation. Even one representative of the Lukashenko regime, wanted by Interpol, is an important incentive for European courts to strive to punish other perpetrators as well. And along with them — future criminals from different countries of the world, who torture their compatriots on behalf of the authorities. At the cost of their own suffering and persistent struggle, the Belarusians fulfill an important function in international law — they create a precedent. This is important, because Lukashenko is not the last dictator in the world, and there is no guarantee that new ones will not appear in the future.

Pavel Latushka held a meeting with the Director General for foreign and security policy of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry Ernej Muller within the framework of "The Bled Strategic Forum" The main topics during the meeting were: The creation, tasks and activities of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, as well as the functional responsibilities of the Cabinet representative on the issue of the transit of power; legal pressure on the Lukashenko regime and the use of the national criminal jurisdiction as a tool to bring the regime's accomplices to justice for mass crimes against Belarusian citizens (possibility of working consultations with the Slovenian Ministry of Justice) Broad application of visa restrictions for officials of the regime, representatives of the security apparatus, who are guilty of repressions against the Belarusian society and the war against Ukraine possible inclusion to the national list of terrorist organizations of the KGB, the Main Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Corruption (GUBOPiK), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other persons suspected of committing especially grave crimes. As regards the issue of changes in the EU visa policy towards the citizens of Belarus due to the Lukashenko regime's support of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Pavel Latushka noted that representatives of the regime, the power apparatus supporting the aggression should be the target of the restrictions. The application of restrictions against the Belarusian society, which is under repression and does not support the war, is unacceptable. Yernei Muller emphasized that the forthcoming summit of the EU foreign ministers in the Czech Republic (August 31) is of an informal nature and no final legal decisions are taken at such summits. Pavel Latushka also touched upon the occupation of Belarus by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, threats to the existence of the independent sovereign state of Belarus and measures to counter them. The representative of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, taking into account the new government, expressed his unequivocal approach to the unconditional support for the democratic forces of Belarus in the fight for democracy and human rights. Pavel Latushka also gave an interview to the Slovenian news agency STA and the newspaper Vecer.

Let's say no to a lesson with a murderer and a dictator! On September 1st, on Knowledge Day, a lesson with Lukashenko will be shown to children and students at schools and universities all over Belarus. As a father, I can't imagine that I would take my child to a lesson with a murderer. And that's why I want to appeal to Belarusian parents, as well as students. Remember what the regime has "taught" us in recent years — Lesson one: that the coronovirus is not visible, which means it does not exist. And even if it does exist, those who die from it are to blame themselves. How many Belarusians died during the first waves of the pandemic — we have yet to find out. But the fact that the number will be in the tens of thousands is already beyond doubt. — Lesson two: the Belarusians do not have the right to choose. That presidential candidates can be thrown into prisons in advance. Independent observers can be beaten and arrested right on the polling stations. That after the voting results cannot be published. That one can simply not count the votes of the Belarusians and announce that Lukashenko gained more than 80%. Meanwhile, the real winner of the elections can be forcibly pushed out of the country — as well as hundreds of thousands of Belarusians. — Lesson three: the Belarusians have no rights at all. That by stealing elections from the people, you can give orders to suppress peaceful protests by force of arms. That it is possible to jail tens of thousands of Belarusians who disagree. That people can be beaten, tortured and raped en masse in prisons. That they can be maimed and even killed. That several dozen people can be kept in a four-bed cell — without food, water and mattresses. That chlorine or pepper spray can be poured into their cells. That a person can be arrested for the color of his socks, a white sheet of paper in the window, or a photograph of a marshmallow, and today — even for speaking in Belarusian in the street. That it is possible to eliminate all independent mass media, NGOs, and civil society. And it will not stop there. — Lesson four: Belarusians do not have a country. Belarus' sovereignty and independence can be exchanged for Russia's support and an opportunity to remain in power. That the control over the territory of Belarus can be given to the Russian troops — and that they can be given a springboard for the invasion of Ukraine. That Belarus could be dragged into the war, against the will of the Belarusian people. That it is possible to help Russia massively kill Ukrainians, that it is possible to openly support the war, to launch hundreds of missiles at Ukraine from the territory of Belarus, and at the same time — to threaten Europe with nuclear weapons, turning Belarus into a target for retaliatory strikes. And that it is possible to threaten the very existence of Belarus in principle by allowing its occupation. This is what the "curriculum" of the Lukashenko regime looks like. This is what we will agree to if we bring our children to a lesson with a dictator and murderer. This is who we will entrust their upbringing to. I know that these "lessons" have not gone unnoticed for us. I know that they have "taught" many to be cautious, to be afraid, to be silent. But I also know that we have no right to allow these "lessons" to poison our children, their minds and their future. And so on September 1, I urge you to skip Lukashenko. Say no to a lesson with a murderer and a dictator. Say no to the day of propaganda that the regime is going to turn Knowledge Day into. Protect your children from hatred and lies. Start small. Skip Lukashenko.

In 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a number of national states gained independence. But Ukraine and Belarus remained in the sphere of interests of Russia in the understanding of Western politicians. Decades later, we understand that such an assessment of the situation was false. The sphere of interests stopped satisfying the imperial ambitions of the chimera of the Soviet empire. And when the Belarusan nation decided to make its own choice — the process of occupation of Belarus began. It was this occupation that allowed the strike on Ukraine from the north. This is why Bucha and the storming of Kiev became possible. Because someone once thought that Belarus was someone's sphere of interest. Only the awakening of the Belarusian society in 2020 moved the situation slightly and instead of cooperation with the regime and turning a blind eye to the dictatorship, we heard from the West a deep concern about violence and repressions. Today's events are the result of the fact that for some reason some nations are not allowed to exercise their right to self-determination fully. If Europe understands today that the values of Western civilization should take precedence over the interests of different groups, then the dream of Belarusians to get out of the occupation and build their own national democratic state will become a reality. A free, independent, European and democratic Belarus is a guarantee that Russia will no longer be able to carry out aggression. Ukraine can cover, and Belarus can finally close the gates to Russia's imperial ambitions, but to do so, it must be freed from the dictator and the occupation troops. Belarusians and Ukrainians made a choice in the direction of European civilization — now it remains to be seen whether Europe will appreciate the sacrifices that Ukrainians and Belarusians made for the sake of it.

Empty counters. Queues. Coupons. Money changers. Substandard goods under the counter. Sound familiar? Chronic losses, debts and widespread shortages: that is how the Soviet economy functioned in the last years of its existence. Year after year people were told from the rostrums: there are enemies around, war is coming, shortages — you have to suffer in the name of defense of the fatherland. Doesn't it remind you of anything? Modern Belarus. Just as in the Soviet era, the people of our country are once again being indoctrinated in the military mindset and the economy is being transformed into a military economy. Lukashenko is retooling civilian production. Since February this year Belarus' economy and industry have been working almost entirely for the Russian army. What damage does our country incur by working for the military ambitions of the two dictators? — The military sector receives most of the national resources of Belarus. — Economic sectors work inefficiently and are not aimed at creating material benefits. These are only some of the problems that the illegitimate Lukashenko regime has burdened the country with, setting the course to turn it into a barracks. Much larger consequences lie ahead. And today, we Belarusians are becoming privates of the regime's military economy.

Artsiom Praskalovich, Lawyer at the NAM, in an interview for the media resource "Eastory" about his work behind the scenes of the regime and in the People's Anti-Crisis Administration. Before 2020, Artsiom worked as a civil servant for 14 years: first, at the Ministry of Justice, then — in the Presidential Administration, where he was deputy head of the department and was engaged in the development of bills. The lawyer notes the formal approach of special services to the recruitment of government officials. In his youth he was a member of the "Young Front" and was nearly put under an article, but on admission to the civil service he underwent a standard check, which did not cause any questions. "Lukashenko is loyal, I think, to 10-15% of the officials of the Administration. The rest are waiting for a political crisis and are trying to prove to themselves that they are not involved in repression." Artsiom Praskalovich has been working at the NAM since January 2021, dealing with "constitutional construction of the New Belarus," working out approaches to rehabilitation of victims of the regime and keeping in touch with state officials "behind enemy lines." "Professionally, I feel good about myself. No longer do I have to think about how to avoid sensitive issues. My job is meaningful; I can finally use my skills for the good of the people. We use all the tools of legal, economic and media pressure and make life difficult for the regime." — Artsiom shares. The NAM lawyer is sure: Lukashenko doesn't mention democratic forces often for nothing — since August 2020 he hasn't slept a single night in peace. But the real insomnia, Artyom promises, is yet to come for the dictator.

International persecution Pavel Latushka, representative of the Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, and NAM lawyers on international prosecution of suspected torturers of Belarusians. Since 2020, human rights defenders have recorded the maximum of torture in Belarus in Europe in the 21st century — more than a thousand cases. How to punish the sadistic enforcers? There are three ways: international tribunals, national and universal jurisdiction. The first way is too complicated and long (it takes years). The second one is not feasible in Belarus (the regime does not prosecute the perpetrators). This leaves universal jurisdiction. Working within its framework is possible both on the international and national levels. Let’s break down the first level and present a strategy from our lawyers. So, the main legal justification for prosecution is Article 5 of the Convention against Torture. It is difficult to use: the regime does not extradite perpetrators to countries where it is theoretically prepared to apply the document. Even if the perpetrator ends up in such a country, many factors must coincide. Here are the main ones: the victim has identified the suspect; is in the same country as the suspect; the victim is not afraid to report the crime; finds a lawyer who is willing to take on the case, prepares a complaint and delivers it to law enforcement; the police and the prosecutor’s office follow up on the case while the suspect is still in the country. But a more realistic goal could be set: to achieve an international search for the suspect. The pros of such a solution: there is no statute of limitations; the suspect will not be able to leave Belarus and possibly Russia (as opposed to the sanctions where all regions except the US and EU are accessible) and risks being detained by Interpol; the presence of the suspect in the country of prosecution is not necessary Documented evidence of torture is sufficient the indefinite nature of the charges would be an incentive to extradite the perpetrators in order to lift the sanctions on Belarus. Solidarity among democracies Let’s look at the second tool — prosecution in individual countries, for example, if the suspects end up in their territory. How realistic is it? Germany and Spain already have successful examples in their jurisprudence of justice in universal jurisdiction, in which torture cases are also dealt with. The UK is promising as its legal system allows for applications in universal jurisdiction without the victim or suspect having a close connection to the UK. The mentioned states have signed the Convention against Torture and politically recognise the Lukashenko regime as criminal. However, there are no open criminal cases of torture in Belarus on their territory yet. NAM is actively consulting with lawyers and law enforcers in these countries. Our partners are willing to work with us on overcoming administrative obstacles to make it easier to open such cases in the future. So far, cooperation with Poland and Lithuania looks the most realistic. These two countries are the most active in supporting the idea of punishing the perpetrators of repression, and while Poland still needs to work out the laws, Lithuania already has at least one open criminal case for torture of supporters of democracy by the Belarusian security forces. If you can identify any of the perpetrators, have any evidence of their involvement, are willing to cooperate with the investigation and give evidence to the Lithuanian police — contact NAM lawyers via the chatbot: @nau_by_bot Perhaps it is your message that will help to put out an investigation of regime law enforcers involved in sadism or abuse of power. One of the priorities of Pavel Latushka, a representative of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, is the prosecution of Belarusians suspected of torture.

The NAM team held a roundtable on universal jurisdiction in Lithuania During the round table a working group was created, which included experts and lawyers of the NAM, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Human Rights Center "Viasna", the International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus, foreign human rights activists, as well as activists of the Belarusian diaspora. Angelika Melnikova, project coordinator: "It was a very productive working meeting where my colleagues and I approved a joint plan and concrete steps to achieve the common goal as soon as possible — to bring to justice those who used torture in Belarus, gave or executed criminal orders. We understand that we want to see results right now. But we have to take into account that the mechanisms of application of the principles of universal jurisdiction are quite complicated and huge efforts have to be made and the involvement of the expert community to ensure the possibility of prosecuting criminals without disclosing data of the victims to the Belarusian side — as the party responsible for the violence". For security reasons and to achieve maximum efficiency, we do not publish the results of the meeting and do not cover the details of the adopted action plan. We remind victims who have been tortured in Belarus and now live in one of the countries signed the Convention against Torture that they may apply to the Human Rights Center "Viasna" (viasnadoc@spring96.org), the International Committee against Torture or to our feedback bot @nau_by_bot to participate in the project. We guarantee complete confidentiality of received information. Activities to prosecute the Lukashenko regime under universal jurisdiction have been identified as one of the key priorities of the United Transitional Cabinet's power transit representative Pavel Latushka.

On the second anniversary of the events of August 9, more than 55 messages of support and solidarity were sent to Belarusians and democracies on behalf of officials and non-governmental organizations. From August 8 to 10 publications with such content appeared in Twitter accounts: — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Estonian President and Prime Minister Alar Karis and Kai Kallas; — 21 foreign ministries and diplomatic missions and their heads, including the foreign ministries of 13 European countries, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the U.S. mission to the EU and the U.S. embassies in Riga, Dublin and Minsk; — 14 EU bodies and political structures and their representatives; — 6 representatives of parties and parliamentary factions in Estonia, France, Germany and Ukraine, as well as individual politicians; — 9 international non-profit associations and human rights structures, including the World Organisation Against Torture, the European and International Federations of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders. "We support the Belarusian people for a democratic future," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken tweeted and announced a visa ban on hundreds of regime officials. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed "deep respect for the courageous opposition that continues to fight for democracy and freedom." "We are with Belarus! We will stand with the people of Belarus for as long as it takes to ensure our common future in a secure, sovereign, democratic and prosperous Europe," said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. We thank our partners for the important support to our common struggle for the Belarusians. But it is also important for us to see examples of international legal responsibility of representatives of the regime for the crimes committed and being committed against the Belarusian people.