Belarusian authorities have intensified their crackdown on teachers, accusing them of ties to extremist groups, according to a report by the Human Rights Center "Viasna." Since 2020, at least 140 educators have been arrested, dismissed, or fined, sparking an international outcry.
Human rights advocates argue that the government is using these allegations as a pretext to suppress dissent, particularly against those who opposed President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime after the contested 2020 presidential election.
The Belarusian government maintains that those targeted have links to extremist organisations, a claim widely disputed by human rights groups. Many of the teachers involved had participated in anti-government protests or openly expressed their views on social and political issues. The Education Ministry has also been involved in the crackdown, issuing orders to identify and penalise educators allegedly connected to extremist activities.
Ales Bialiatski, the chairman of "Viasna" and a prominent human rights activist, argued that the government is using the "extremist" label to justify the persecution of those who had participated in the protests demanding free elections and greater civil liberties. The crackdown has chilled the education sector, with many teachers now hesitant to speak out or participate in public discussions for fear of retaliation. Human rights organisations have expressed concern over the broader implications of this repression, warning that it is stifling academic freedom and forcing educators to self-censor.
International organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union, have condemned Belarus's actions. The EU has imposed sanctions on several Belarusian officials, citing widespread human rights abuses and the suppression of free speech. Despite the mounting pressure, Belarusian authorities have denied specifically targeting teachers, stating that their actions are part of a broader effort to curb extremism.
As international attention on Belarus grows, the future for teachers remains uncertain. Human rights groups are calling for the immediate release of detained educators and an end to the government’s repressive measures. A recent Hindustan Times report highlighted the climate of fear that now exists in Belarusian schools, where educators continue to face threats to their rights and freedoms. For now, Belarusian teachers find themselves caught in the government’s ongoing efforts to silence opposition, with no clear resolution in sight.