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Today marks the first anniversary since the falsified elections in Belarus and the subsequent crackdowns. We wish to show our solidarity with all Belarusians who are fighting for democracy and freedom. #StandWithBelarus @Tsihanouskaya @franakviacorka
Follow our thread 🧵below ⬇️
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In this thread, we would like to share key analyses and articles about these events to keep the issue on the international agenda. A complete list of articles and analyses on #Belarus can be found via this link: neweasterneurope.eu/?s=belarus
In his first post-election essay @maxim_rust writes that the August 9th election was a critical event for both the Belarusian society and the ruling elite which saw the breakdown of traditional divides between the government and a decades-old opposition.
neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/the…
neweasterneurope.eu/2020/09/07/the…
The #EU 🇪🇺 has imposed sanctions on #Belarus 🇧🇾, including banning airlines from using its airspace and airports, amid fury over the diversion of a plane to arrest an opposition journalist.
As @LukeShrago reports, EU leaders also demanded the release of #RamanPratasevich ⤵️
As @LukeShrago reports, EU leaders also demanded the release of #RamanPratasevich ⤵️
@LukeShrago 🇧🇾🇪🇺 "This is a threat against the safety of international civil aviation, which is why the 27 heads of government and state agreed very quickly, not only to condemn but also demand for the immediate release of #RomanProtasevich," said @eucopresident ⤵️
@LukeShrago @eucopresident 🇧🇾🇪🇺✈️ "#Belarus used its control over its airspace in order to perpetuate a state #hijacking, therefore the safety and security of flights through Belarus airspace can no longer be trusted," said @vonderleyen ⤵️
So here we see in relation to #RomanProtasevich and @Ryanair flight FR4978 what appears to be an outrageous breach by #Belarus of the 1971 Montreal Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation (available here: bit.ly/3wniZbe).
For the most part, I'll assume anyone reading this has done the pre-reading, and is aware of the facts. @BBCNews has a good primer here: bbc.co.uk/news/world-eur…
The Montreal Convention was concluded in the 1970s - when the highjacking of civilian aircraft by non-state entities (for any number of reasons) was far more common than it is today. By the standards of international treaties, it is immensely successful - with 188 parties.
So a Belarusian journalist who was travelling between two #EU 🇪🇺 destinations is now back in #Belarus against his own will after KGB operatives basically hijacked the plane and forced it to land.
This is not just a grave violation of human rights, it is also an act of aggression against the European Union. They hijacked a plane full of EU citizens and forced it to land in another country, against the will of everyone on board
All of this was planned in advance. KGB operatives knew Roman Protasevich was going to be on a flight that would go through Belarusian airspace. they've probably waited months for this opportunity
