"Georgia mirrors Belarus' situation of 2020; it's essential to avoid repeating past errors."
Unloading the Burden of Belarusian Mistakes: A Warning from Former Ambassador Pavel Latushko for Georgia
Hey there! Let's dive into a bit of a political hot topic: the parallels being drawn between Georgia and Belarus. One man, Pavel Latushko, a Belarusian leader of the opposition, ex-Minister of Culture under the Lukashenko regime, and former Ambassador to France, has some insightful opinions. In an interview with Radio Free Europe's Georgian Service, he paints an unsettling picture of life under a regime that can turn a simple "Facebook like" into a prison sentence. He warns Georgia not to make the same mistakes as Belarus—unless it takes action now.
Are the comparisons justified?
Latushko says the developments in Georgia could very well mirror the scenario that unfolded in Belarus. He highlights the escalating numbers of Belarusians leaving the country forced by a climate of fear, oppression, and persecution. Russia's goal, he believes, is to restore the Soviet Union, and countries like Georgia and Moldova are under constant threat of interference.
But can the EU really intervene?
Latushko suggests that if societies want to see their potential future, they should look at Belarus. With Russia pulling the strings, Belarus has lost most of its sovereignty, face significant sanctions, and is experiencing intense international scrutiny. For Latushko, the keys to resistance are applying crushing sanctions on the regime and leveraging international justice mechanisms.
Implications for Georgia
Latushko argues that Georgia is currently experiencing a "2020 Belarus" moment, where it's crucial not to repeat past errors. Unlike Belarus, Georgia still enjoys freedom of speech, opposition parties, and an independent media. But things could change rapidly, warns Latushko. The trickle of repression, fear, and apathy can quickly turn into a flood, leaving Georgia in the same dire position as Belarus.
Could things have turned out differently for Belarus?
Latushko acknowledges his and others' responsibility for not being bold and decisive enough in resisting Lukashenko. There were opportunities for change, but they were squandered. Today, Belarusians live under totalitarianism, and without external intervention, there's little hope for a peaceful transition.
The Way Forward for Belarus
Latushko remains optimistic for Belarus, but the road to change is difficult. He suggests using all legal tools available—including bringing Lukashenko before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity—and targeting the economic base of the regime with sanctions. At the same time, Latushko stresses the importance of maintaining open communication channels with society and supporting independent media to counteract Russian propaganda and preserve Belarusian identity.
Overall, Latushko's warning serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of authoritarianism and the importance of vigilance for democratic societies. By taking his advice seriously, Georgia has a chance to chart a different course—one that leads away from Belarus's grim history towards a brighter, more democratic future.
- Former Belarusian Minister of Culture and Ambassador to France, Pavel Latushko, warns Georgia against making the same mistakes as Belarus, emphasizing the increasing repression, oppression, and persecution in Belarus under Lukashenko's regime.
- In an interview with Radio Free Europe's Georgian Service, Latushko predicts that the developments in Georgia could mirror the situation in Belarus, perhaps leading to mass exodus of citizens due to fear and oppression.
- Latushko suggests that if countries like Georgia want to resist authoritarian regimes like Lukashenko's, they should focus on applying crushing sanctions on the regime and leveraging international justice mechanisms.
- Reflecting on his past role in Belarusian politics, Latushko acknowledges that more bold and decisive action could have prevented Belarus from falling into totalitarianism, but today there's little hope for a peaceful transition without external intervention.
