Designated Telegram group of students voicing anti-migrant sentiments involving Pakistani immigrants labeled as "extremist"
Hey there! Here's a low-down on what's happening in Belarus, a country where the line between being a patriot and an extremist seems to blur quite a bit these days. Let's dive in!
Ordinary kids, patriotic vibes, but apolitical: Reportedly, the creators of a specific group are just regular school-going kids. They fancy themselves as the protectors of Belarus, yet they maintain they are apolitical. Funny thing is, they've got zero interest in the turbulence that marked 2020, and there's a simple reason for that - they were still knee-deep in primary school, far removed from politics.
The group finds fame, then disappears, yet the label "extremist" sticks: Right after the group gained popular attention and the focus of the society and law enforcement, their creators shut it down, presumably sensing the danger. Yet, the government didn't miss the chance to add their activities to the list of 'extremist' activities.
A list that keeps growing: Besides the aforementioned group, the list includes a variety of other entities such as YouTube channels like BRUTTO NOSTRA and Nikitenko's Office, Novaja Ziamlia on TikTok, Instagram's krok.kult, VK's "Free Belarus," Telegram channels like Youth Movement DoLGB and others, and even the site and social media pages of the project BY teatr.
So, what's causing all this fuss? Well, according to Minister Markov, independent media were tolerated until 2020, but now, censorship is a necessity. Some even suggest the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus might be labeled a "terrorist organization." Also, new criminal cases have been opened against Logvinets, Shantsov, and Sudalenko.
A little more background: This escalation of the 'extremist' label in Belarus started ramping up around 2020, following the controversial presidential election in August 2020. The crackdown on opposition activities was the government's response to the widespread protests and movements that ensued. As a result, laws and regulations have been introduced to restrict dissent and opposition, with any form of dissent deemed a threat to national security.
In essence, the government has been using the 'extremist' label to suppress dissent and opposition, lumping anything deemed threatening to their control under this label, be it peaceful protests or criticism. This broad definition has allowed the government to crack down on opposition activities, including students and media outlets, that engage in or support dissent. They've even implemented strict regulations and surveillance, often aiming at education and media. For instance, teachers with perceived opposition views are banned from employment, and educational institutions function as ideological front lines for suppressing dissent. Quite a grim picture, huh? Keep an eye out for more updates!
- The founders of a specific group in Belarus, who are just ordinary school-going kids, claim to be apolitical protectors of their country, despite having no interest in the political turbulence that occurred in 2020.
- After gaining public attention, the creators of this group disbanded, presumably due to the perceived danger, but their activities were still labeled as extremist by the Belarus government.
- The list of extremist activities in Belarus includes not only this group but also other entities like YouTube channels, TikTok accounts, Instagram pages, VK groups, Telegram channels, and even the site and social media pages of projects like BY teatr.
- The government's use of the 'extremist' label to suppress dissent and opposition in Belarus has expanded significantly since 2020, following the controversial presidential election, with laws and regulations introduced to restrict dissent and opposition, deeming any form of dissent a threat to national security.
