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1 [1] (January 19, 2018)

handle is hein.crs/govebcp0001 and id is 1 raw text is: C o n gEr e s o a R e e a c S e c January 19, 2018 Belarus: An Overview In recent years, observers have looked for signs of change in the foreign and domestic policies of Belarus, a nondemocratic state in Eastern Europe that is highly dependent on Russia. The U.S.-Belarus relationship is not an easy one, though the two countries periodically have sought to increase their engagement. Few anticipate major governance or foreign policy changes in Belarus in the near term. Observers debate, however, whether incremental shifts may be possible. Political Overview Belarus became independent in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. President Alexander Lukashenko, who was first elected president in 1994, has led Belarus for more than 23 years. Observers consider Belarus to have an authoritarian system of governance that restricts most political and civil liberties. The U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Freedom House gives Belarus a freedom rating of not free, the same score it gives Russia. In recent years, some observers have suggested that the Belarusian government has taken steps to become a softer authoritarian regime, while others consider such steps to be more symbolic than substantive. The government released several political prisoners in 2015. In 2016 elections, opposition candidates were allowed to win 2 of the 110 seats in the lower house of the Belarusian parliament. In 2017, the civic movement Havary Pravdu (Tell the Truth) was officially registered after trying to do so for seven years. Meanwhile, the government continued to crack down on political protest and opposition. In February-March 2017, the government confronted a rare outburst of economic protest across the country, focused on the government's imposition of what many referred to as a social parasite tax of approximately $250 on the unemployed and underemployed. These protests appeared to be more of a grassroots movement than previous demonstrations, but they dovetailed with more traditional Freedom Day protests on March 25, an annual commemoration of Belarus's short-lived independence from Russia in 1918. Although the government suspended the tax, security forces detained hundreds, including journalists and activists. They also arrested other individuals, accusing them of belonging to nationalist and youth groups intending to foment violent unrest (though the government dropped these charges at the end of November 2017). During the year, some opposition leaders were imprisoned for various infractions, but for several days at a time as opposed to months or years (as has been the case in the past). Figure I. Belarus Facts Area: Land area of approx. 78,000 sq. mi., slightly smaller than Kansas; borders Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine Capita: Minsk Population: 9.5 million (July 2017 est.) Ethnicity Relarusian: 84%; Russian. 8%, Polish: 3% (2009 estj Languages: Russian (official): 70%; Belarusian (official): 23% (2009est.) Gross Domestic Product: $172 billion, purchasing power parity; per capita: $18,100(2016 est.) Political Leaders: President: Alexander Lukashenko; Prime Minister: Aridrey Kobyakov; Foreign Minister: Vladimir Makei Sources: CRS Graphic. Map created by Hannah Fischer using data from Department of State (2015) and Esri (2016). CIA World Factbook. Relations with Russia Belarus is one of Russia's closest allies and economic partners. It is a member of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (a security alliance) and shares a joint air defense system with Russia. In September 2017, Belarus hosted a portion of the Russia- led Zapad 2017 military exercises. The exercises centered on a simulated defense against attack by an alliance of fictional states (including one located in western Belarus) seeking to undermine Belarus's ties to Russia. Belarus is also a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and relies heavily on Russian loans and subsidized gas and oil. In particular, Belarus benefits from the import of subsidized crude oil, which it refines for export. Tensions between Belarus and Russia have been visible in recent years. The two countries have been at odds over oil and gas prices and supplies, Belarusian debt, Russian border controls and trade restrictions, and other issues. Belarus also has resisted hosting a Russian military airbase. In a February 2017 speech, Lukashenko extensively criticized what he characterized as Russia's overbearing policy toward Belarus. Afterward, Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a deal that appeared to resolve some key differences concerning the oil and gas trade, although some observers consider the deal temporary and anticipate future disputes. littps:I/crsreports.coiies--q-

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