The impact of pushing half a million emigrants away from Belarus by a Little Fellow driven by vengeance is significant

The junta’s decision to deny expatriates the ability to renew their passports is causing further hardship for Belarusian citizens who bravely stood up against tyranny and violence, both in recent years and in the past. Many were forced to flee the country to escape severe repression. Aliaksei Dzikavitski, Deputy Director of Belsat, highlights this ongoing issue.

Lukashenka sees himself as God’s chosen one and seeks revenge against those who disagree. He has pushed half a million people out of the country and put thousands more behind bars where they are tortured and killed. Lukashenka is carrying out a complete Russification process, even more extensive than under the Soviets. He confiscates citizens’ property. He is highly motivated to maintain his position of power and will take any necessary measures.

I wonder if this Little Fellow dictator has considered passing authority to his sons. If so, which country or Belarusian province would they govern? Furthermore, what will become of Belarus after losing hundreds of thousands of enterprising, educated, diligent, and predominantly youthful citizens?

Research has shown that emigrants who spend more time living abroad are less likely to return to their homeland willingly. The dictator who restricts the ability for citizens to renew their passports while living abroad creates additional obstacles, further pushing emigrants away from Belarus. The loss of skilled professionals leaving the country will harm its development for years. Economists can quantify the effect of this absence on Belarus’ GDP growth, and the results could be more encouraging. As of now, they don’t look optimistic at all.

Unfortunately, some people leave their home country to work in other nations. Well, let them run away. The regime junta doesn’t seem to care about this and allows it to happen. Perhaps because they follow the same principles as Stalinism – “no man, no problem.” Meanwhile, the wealthy tsar and his powerful entourage continue to enjoy their lavish lifestyles in the country while those who remain struggle to make ends meet.

It’s difficult to imagine a regime more opposed to Belarus at this point.

Aliaksei Dzikavitski for belsat.eu

Translated by PEV