What happened to the Belarusian women who stood up to Lukashenko? - BBC World Service Documentaries

Key Concepts

• Belarusian Presidential Election 2020
• Alexander Lukashenko's regime
• Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Maria Kolesnikova, Veronika Tsepkalo (opposition leaders)
• Political prisoners
• Brutal crackdown on protests
• Exile and imprisonment
• Democratic movement
• International recognition and support
• Belarusian Women's Fund

1. The 2020 Belarusian Presidential Election and the Rise of Female Opposition

• In 2020, Alexander Lukashenko announced his intention to run for a sixth term as president.
• Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a political novice, entered the race after her husband, opposition activist Sergei Tikhanovsky, was arrested.
• Tikhanovskaya was joined by Maria Kolesnikova and Veronika Tsepkalo, representing other barred opposition candidates.
• The three women united their campaigns, agreeing on two key goals: the release of all political prisoners and new elections within six months.
• Their entrance electrified the campaign, drawing large crowds and widespread support.

2. Post-Election Protests and Government Crackdown

• Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory, but Tikhanovskaya's supporters believed she had won.
• Mass protests erupted across Belarus in response to the election results.
• Security forces launched a brutal crackdown on protestors, resulting in beatings, injuries, and detentions.
• The opposition admitted they were unprepared for the scale of the government's response and had not anticipated such a violent reaction.

3. The Fates of the Three Women

• Maria Kolesnikova was arrested a month after the elections and sentenced to eleven years in prison. She ripped up her passport to prevent being forced out of the country.
• Veronika Tsepkalo left Belarus before the elections due to threats against her husband.
• Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was forced to leave the country two days after the vote, citing threats to arrest her and put her children in care.

4. Maria Kolesnikova's Imprisonment and Advocacy

• Kolesnikova has been imprisoned since her arrest, with limited contact with the outside world.
• Her sister, Tatsiana, campaigns for her release and the release of other political prisoners.
• Kolesnikova's health has deteriorated in prison, with reports of weight loss and a near-fatal ulcer.
• She is seen as a symbol of courage and resistance, standing up for her own rights and the rights of other prisoners.

5. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's Role in Exile

• Tikhanovskaya is recognized by many European countries as the democratic leader of Belarus.
• Her priorities include working for the release of political prisoners, supporting Belarusians in exile, and keeping Belarus on the international agenda.
• She maintains that politics is not her passion but a responsibility she feels compelled to fulfill.
• In June 2025, Tikhanovskaya was reunited with her husband, Sergei, after he and other political prisoners were released.

6. Veronika Tsepkalo's Support for Belarusian Women

• Tsepkalo lives abroad with her family and focuses on supporting women who have fled Belarus.
• She founded the Belarusian Women's Fund in Latvia to document crimes against Belarusian women and provide psychological and legal assistance.
• Tsepkalo expressed disappointment in the disunity that emerged within the opposition after the initial protests.

7. Repression and the Future of Belarus

• Repressions have intensified in Belarus since the 2020 protests, with thousands jailed and many subjected to torture.
• Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have left the country.
• Despite the challenges, the three women remain hopeful that change will eventually come to Belarus.
• They believe the desire for change is still alive within Belarusians, even if it is currently suppressed by fear.

8. Notable Quotes

• Alexander Lukashenko: "Our constitution is not for women. Our society has not matured enough to vote for a woman."
• Maria Kolesnikova (if arrested): "But I’m sure I’m not afraid right now. I hope you’re not afraid either."
• Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: "Politics is still not my cup of tea. This is my obligation, my responsibility, something I have to do."
• Veronika Tsepkalo: "All the international awards I’ve received over the past five years, when they were monetary, I have donated them entirely to help Belarusian women."

9. Technical Terms and Concepts

• Political prisoners: Individuals imprisoned for their political beliefs or activities.
• Regime: A government, especially an authoritarian one.
• Democratic movement: A political movement advocating for democratic reforms.
• Exile: The state of being barred from one's native country, typically for political reasons.
• Repression: The act of suppressing or controlling a people through force.

10. Synthesis/Conclusion

The 2020 Belarusian presidential election and the subsequent protests marked a significant turning point in the country's history. The emergence of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Maria Kolesnikova, and Veronika Tsepkalo as opposition leaders challenged Alexander Lukashenko's long-standing regime. While the protests were met with brutal repression, and the three women faced exile or imprisonment, their actions inspired a generation of Belarusians to demand change. Despite the ongoing challenges, they remain committed to fighting for a democratic future for Belarus.