Lukashenko

For those who do not want to put themselves at risk, she says rebellion can take other forms. From displaying red and white flags or balloons, sharing messages on social media, or printing messages for others, she says "You can do a very small thing—a small drop, but many drops make a big ocean." … [Read more...] about Belarus’ Exiled Leader on Protests and the End to Lukashenko’s Putin-Backed Dictatorship

January 6 LeBron James reacts to Jacob Blake verdict LeBron James called a prosecutor's decision not to file charges against a white police officer who shot a Black man in Wisconsin this summer a "blow to the heart and to the gut." Jacob Blake was left paralyzed after being shot in the back on Aug. 23 by Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey. … [Read more...] about IIHF boss Rene Fasel meets Alexander Lukashenko amid controversy

What is the situation in Belarus? Belarus has experienced political unrest since the controversial re-election of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in August. The opposition refuse to recognize the result. Authorities cracked down hard on largely peaceful demonstrations that followed. The European Union imposed sanctions on Lukashenko for the reaction to the protests.  … [Read more...] about Ice Hockey World Championship: Belarus loses host role

'Embarrassing' embrace And its presidentcertainly did himself no favor by embracing Lukashenko at the start of a meeting in Minsk last week. Fasel, who has admitted to having felt embarrassed when video of the embrace hit the media, subsequently took great pains to play it down, saying that hugging in Belarus was the equivalent of a handshake elsewhere. He also said he and his delegation were trying to "build bridges" between Lukashenko and the opposition – a phrase reminiscent of other sports functionaries before him.  … [Read more...] about Opinion: IIHF gets Belarus decision right, perhaps a bit late

For anyone who believes in human rights, it was at best an unfortunate choice to host your sport's showcase event, but it was also nothing new. After all, the country ruled for decades by the iron fist of President Alexander Lukashenko hosted the tournament all on its own just seven years ago. And, by the IIHF's account, it was a great success — despite human rights abuses documented by Amnesty International and others prior to that tournament.  … [Read more...] about Opinion: Ice Hockey Federation gets Belarus decision right, perhaps a bit late

Fasel, though, won't have long to catch his breath, as the IIHF now has to figure out what to do with the half of the World Championship schedule that was to have been played in Minsk. Possible solutions that have been mentioned include moving those games to Denmark, who last hosted the tournament in 2018, or Slovakia, which hosted the last Worlds to actually be played in 2019 — Switzerland had been set to host last year's Championship before the coronavirus forced its cancellation. … [Read more...] about Belarusian opposition, human rights activists, hail IIHF decision