The Belarusian musicians affiliated with Tor Band have become a poignant symbol of resistance against the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko. In response to their influential songs that fueled mass protests after the disputed 2020 elections, Lukashenko’s government opted to suppress dissent by imprisoning three band members. Dzmitry Halavach, the leader of Tor Band, received a nine-year prison sentence, while Yauhen Burlo and Andrei Yaremchyk were sentenced to eight and seven and a half years, respectively.
This crackdown on musicians is just a small part of Lukashenko’s broader campaign to suppress any form of opposition in Belarus. Human rights organizations have highlighted the existence of blacklists that curtail the artistic freedom of musicians, bands, and artists who are deemed “disloyal” to the regime. These blacklists often result in the replacement of banned artists with performers from Russia, as stated by PEN Belarus, a writer’s association focused on freedom of expression.
The repression of independent culture in Belarus has drawn comparisons to the practices of the Soviet era, where dissent was silenced and driven underground. Tatyana Nyadbai, the head of PEN Belarus, aptly describes the situation, emphasizing the need to reclaim and preserve artistic freedom in the face of adversity.
The imprisonment of Tor Band members is unprecedented and has triggered outrage from human rights defenders. Pavel Sapelka, from the Viasna Human Rights Centre, decries these harsh sentences as an attack on creativity itself. The notorious lengths to which Lukashenko’s regime goes to silence dissent have galvanized the exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who sees music as an enduring form of resistance that cannot be quelled.
The arrest and sentencing of the Tor Band members occurred during the largest wave of arrests under Lukashenko’s three-decade rule. The ensuing crackdown left countless Belarusians fearing for their lives and resulted in thousands being imprisoned or subjected to physical assault. The despairing scenes witnessed in court, such as Mr. Burlo on crutches, unable to stand for the verdict and the harrowing reactions of their relatives, exemplify the deep emotional toll inflicted upon the band and their loved ones.
The charges brought against Tor Band highlight the unjust labeling of artists as “extremist formations” merely due to their song lyrics. Independent observers and supporters of the band affirm that their music contains no calls for violence or incitement of hatred. Despite this, the regime seeks to exploit these arbitrary accusations to silence artistic voices.
Sadly, the persecution of Tor Band is not an isolated incident. PEN Belarus reports that since 2020, Belarusian cultural figures have constantly been targeted by the regime. From censorship to unfair trials, numerous artists and performers have experienced human rights violations. Just recently, Larisa Gribaleva, a well-known singer and TV host, was detained for her previous condemnation of violence. She joined a list of 80 performers prohibited from public performances, although the full list remains undisclosed.
The detention of cultural figures sends a chilling message to remaining free performers in Belarus, intimidating them into expressing loyalty to the regime. This tactic aims to deter artists from using their platforms to advocate for change and to consolidate the regime’s control over cultural narratives.
Tragically, there have been cases where musicians and artists have faced dire consequences. Two members of the Belarusian band Irdorath were forced to flee the country after enduring two-year prison sentences for participating in the protests. Ales Pushkin, an artist who was vocal in his opposition to the regime, tragically passed away in prison while serving a five-year sentence for inciting hatred and “desecration of state symbols.”
These incidents underscore the urgent need for international attention and intervention. Lukashenko’s regime must be held accountable for its violation of human rights and suppression of artistic expression. The international community, including human rights organizations, governments, and cultural institutions, must unite to condemn these actions and amplify the voices of oppressed artists in Belarus. By doing so, we can continue to shed light on the plight of Tor Band and other victims of the regime, ensuring that their music resonates not only within their hearts but also within the collective conscience of the world.
