In Canada, Calls to Impose Sanctions and Join Allies Against Belarusian Regime

Russia poised to deploy police forces to Belarus at request of long-standing dictator and ally

A woman is detained during a rally in support of Maria Kolesnikova, a member of the Coordination Council created by the opposition to facilitate talks with President Alexander Lukashenko on a transition of power, in Minsk, Belarus, on Sept. 8, 2020. AP Photo

Protests that began in May in Belarus against the authoritarian regime of President Alexander Lukashenko have only increased in size and intensity since the Aug. 9 election, which Canada and many other countries widely perceive as having been fraudulent and rigged.

Widespread unrest since the election has seen at least four people killed, hundreds injured, and hundreds more arrested. Pro-democracy protesters want Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, to resign.