08:30 to 09:00 Coffee and sandwich
09:00 to 09:30 Introduction and historical overview
When Lukashenka came to power in 1994, in the only free and fair elections since Belarusian independence so far, few took him seriously. Today his rule has become a source of inspiration for other authoritarian leaders. Through repressive legislation, propaganda and targeted violence, he has gradually taken personal control over all major political and social institutions, including the judiciary and the media. Now, more than 20 years later, his hold on power seems to be more secure than ever before. How did this happen?
Martin Uggla , chairman of ”Östgruppen” and author of the recent book on Belarus (Swedish only),
”Bruksanvisning för diktatorer” (Ruin, 2014)
09:30 to 10:30 Belarus, Russia and Ukraine: long shadows from the Donbass
Putin's annexation of Crimea and violent rampage in eastern Ukraine has shaken the world, and set a deterring example for other states in Russia’s "near abroad". Most of us are familiar with concerns in the Baltic states, but we know less about reactions in neighbouring Belarus. Yet, with heavy economic dependence on Russia, an open border to the east and Russian troops already stationed on its ground, Belarus’ territorial integrity is considerably more fragile. Officially, the regime in Minsk has taken on the role of a neutral peacemaker, but what is happening behind the scenes?
Valer Karbalevich (Belarus), political scientist and analyst at independent Belarusian think tank
”Strategya”
Konstantin Baranov (Russia), Youth Human Rights Movement
10:30 to 10:45 Short break
10:45 to 12:00 Belarus and the EU: a new beginning?
Brussels approaches Minsk. Diplomatic relations are warming up, and there are signs that President
Alyaksandr Lukashenka, despite his current EU entry ban, may be invited to the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga in May. Has Europe’s attitude towards the regime in Minsk softened, in the light of recent events in Russia and Ukraine? What are the prospects for a constructive Belarusian involvement in the Eastern Partnership? Will democracy and human rights remain a high priority in the EU’s relations with its eastern neighbours, in face of continued internal fragmentation?
Egidijus Navikas , desk officer for Belarus at the Eastern Partnership Bilateral Division of EEAS, (European
External Action Service)
Stefan Gullgren (tbc), head of department for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the Swedish MFA
Ulad Vialichka (Belarus), director general of the international Consortium "EuroBelarus"

12:00 to 13:15 Lunch break
13:15 to 14:45 Belarus approaching presidential elections: a status report
Belarus is approaching a new round of presidential (re)elections. According to the constitution, they should be held no later than November 20, 2015. The last presidential elections, though initially characterized by a degree of optimism, were followed by massive repression. The afterthere any leeway left for independent media and what are the most immediate challenges, according to the Belarusian human rights movement?
Jesper Roine , associate professor at Stockholm Institute of Transition Economies (SITE)
Svetlana Kalinkina (Belarus), chief editor of the independent Belarusian newspaper Narodnaya
Volya and deputy chair of Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ)
Valiantsin Stefanovich (Belarus), vice president of the Human Rights Centre Vjasna
15:15 to 16:30 Civil societies without borders: Challenges and strategies for the future cooperation between civil society organizations increases. Experience shows that international diplomacy tends to neglect soft values like democracy and human rights when they interfere with other areas of national interest. What kind of support is the Belarusian civil society in need of at this point in time, and what are the current challenges for civil society cooperation involving Belarusian NGOs? How can Sweden contribute to a positive development?
Lena Tankachova (Belarus) (via link), director of Lawtrend, and since late February sentenced to 3 years of exile
Ulad Vialichka (Belarus), director general of the international consortium "EuroBelarus"
Dzmitry Dabravolsky (Belarus), chairman of the Belarusian Youth Council, RADA
Moderator: Lana Willebrand , Forum Syd
16:30 to 17:00 Summary and conclusion
Language: English (Russian and Swedish with interpretation into English)
Organized by Östgruppen, in cooperation with Forum Syd and LSU
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för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter