The Republic of Cyprus became a refuge for more than five thousand Belarusians who found a new home on the island. The increase in size of the Belarusian diaspora increased dramatically after the events of 2020 in Belarus when mass protests against election fraud and harsh measures of Alexander Lukashenko’s regime forced thousands of people to flee the country. This article examines the key challenges faced by Belarusians in Cyprus and suggests possible solutions to overcome these difficulties.
Growth of the Belarusian diaspora after 2020
The active growth of the Belarusian diaspora in Cyprus started in 2020 after the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus, which caused mass protests. People took to the streets demanding fair elections and respect for human rights, but these protests were violently suppressed by the authorities. Alexander Lukashenko’s regime launched a large-scale crackdown, forcing thousands of Belarusians to seek refuge abroad.
It is estimated that between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people have fled the country, representing about 6-11 percent of Belarus’ population. By comparison, this number is close to the population of the entire Republic of Cyprus.
Mass Repression and Destruction of the Belarusian Nation
Massive and unprecedented political repression continues in Belarus, the purpose of which, according to many, is to suppress Belarusian identity. The Russian-backed regime of Alexander Lukashenko is trying to destroy the Belarusian nation and its cultural symbols. People are being arrested for speaking the Belarusian language and using national symbols such as the white-red-white flag and the «Pogonya» emblem. Ordinary citizens can be accused of «extremism» just for likes or comments on social networks. Belarusian culture and independent media are also under the blows of repression: books in the Belarusian language are destroyed, cultural institutions are closed, and independent media are forced to stop their work. According to rough estimates, there are more than 5 thousand political prisoners in prisons, but it is impossible to establish the exact number due to the closed nature and suppression of information inside the country.
Reasons for the migration of Belarusians to Cyprus
Belarusians continue to leave their country en masse due to the threat of repression and persecution, seeking refuge in Europe, including Cyprus, to find protection and the opportunity to live freely. Between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people have left Belarus since 2020, which emphasizes the scale of the crisis. These people live in search of countries where human rights are respected and conditions for professional and personal development are created.
Cyprus attracts Belarusians with its favorable business environment, stable economy, and high standard of living. The island has become popular among IT, finance, and business professionals due to its open labor market and favorable conditions for doing business. Despite the lack of special support programs for Belarusians, Cyprus remains one of the priority destinations due to its safety and high standards of living.
Svetlana Tihanovskaia is a leader of the democratic movement
Svetlana Tihanovskaia, who unexpectedly became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy in Belarus, took on this role after the arrest of her husband, Sergei Tihanovski, who was planning to run in the 2020 presidential election. After his detention, Svetlana made the courageous decision to run in his place. Despite threats and pressure from the authorities, she managed to unite millions of Belarusians who are hungry for change. Independent observers believe that Tikhanovskaya won the election, but the authorities announced the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko, which led to mass protests across the country.
After violently suppressing peaceful demonstrations and threatening her family, Tikhanovskaya was forced to emigrate to Lithuania. But once abroad, she did not stop her struggle. Svetlana is active in the international arena, meeting with world leaders and politicians, and representing the interests of the Belarusian people. Her emotional speeches, imbued with personal pain, invariably draw attention to the ongoing repression and human rights violations in Belarus.
Recently, Tihanouskaya delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in the United States, where she spoke about the fate of thousands of unjustly imprisoned and repressed Belarusians. She was introduced as the elected president of Belarus — a symbolic act of support for her struggle for democratic change. In her speeches, Svetlana not only condemns Lukashenko’s regime but also calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Belarusian authorities to stop the violence and restore the people’s rights to free elections.
Today Svetlana Tikhanovskaya continues to be the voice of millions of Belarusians who strive to see their country free and democratic.
The second wave of migration after 2022
The second wave of growth of the Belarusian diaspora in Cyprus began after 2022, when Russia, with the support of the Lukashenko regime, unleashed a full-scale war against Ukraine. The majority of Belarusians did not support the Russian aggression, and many of them took an active part in the resistance. A significant number of Belarusians joined volunteer units, such as the Kastus Kalinowski Regiment, fighting on the side of Ukraine for its independence and the future of Belarus.
In the early stages of the war, Belarusian partisans in their own country tried to stop the movement of Russian military trains carrying equipment for the invasion of Ukraine. For their actions, many of them were detained by Belarusian security forces, seriously injured, and sentenced to long prison terms — up to 15 years in prison. There are fears that these prisoners are being tortured in detention centers, as repression against dissidents in Belarus continues to intensify.
Decree No. 278 and its consequences
On September 4, 2023, Alexander Lukashenko signed Decree No. 278, which prohibits Belarusian embassies from issuing and renewing passports to citizens abroad. This step is directed primarily against those Belarusians who actively oppose the regime while in exile. The decree aims to force activists and political figures to return to Belarus, where arrests and brutal repression await them. Thus, Lukashenka is trying to weaken the Belarusian diaspora and limit its influence in the international arena by depriving Belarusians abroad of access to basic documents necessary for legal stay and activity in other countries.
At the same time, there is a small group of pro-Lukashenka fringe groups in Cyprus, closely cooperating with the Russian embassy. These people actively try to hinder the activities of the Belarusian diaspora by supporting Russian influence and developing an agent network on the island.
They use various methods to spread Lukashenka and Russian propaganda while promoting disinformation to discredit the democratic forces of Belarus. While many Belarusians who oppose the regime find themselves in a difficult situation due to Decree No. 278, which restricted their access to passport renewal, these marginalized individuals do not experience similar difficulties. They freely obtain documents and continue their activities with the support of Russian structures, increasing pressure on opposition forces abroad.
Belarusians who left the country in search of security are now in a difficult situation, as they cannot renew their passports or get new ones. In some EU countries, this problem is solved by issuing alien passports or travel documents, but this practice does not exist in Cyprus. Obtaining a travel document is only possible with international protection status, which is very difficult to obtain in Cyprus due to the complicated bureaucratic process.
Problems with international protection and work visas
The introduction of Decree No. 278 has left many Belarusians in legal limbo. Those who receive international protection lose their right to work, which creates serious problems, as most Belarusians in Cyprus are on work visas, on which their financial stability depends. Without the ability to renew their passports through embassies, Belarusians are faced with the impossibility of legally continue their stay and labor activity on the island. This creates a dangerous situation in which people are deprived not only of their documents but also of their livelihoods, exacerbating their vulnerability and legal uncertainty.
Visa difficulties and travel restrictions
Due to Decree No. 278, a new problem has arisen for Belarusians in Cyprus: since Cyprus is not part of the Schengen zone, Belarusian citizens with a residence permit on the island cannot travel freely within the EU without a Schengen visa. For many, traveling to other countries is necessary for work, especially if it involves international contacts, as well as to meet relatives. Some Belarusians have not seen their families for several years.
However, EU embassies often issue single-entry visas, which take up a whole page in a passport, and passports fill up quickly. Decree No. 278 makes it almost impossible to obtain a new passport, as applying to the Belarusian authorities involves a security risk. This restricts the movement of Belarusians, creates serious obstacles for their professional activities, and further increases their isolation in the international arena.
Svetlana Tihanouskaya’s visit to Cyprus and its impact
The situation started to improve slightly after Svetlana Tihanovska visited Cyprus last year, where she held meetings with President Nicos Christodoulidis and Parliament Speaker Anita Dimitriou.
During these talks, they discussed pressing problems of the Belarusian diaspora and possible ways to solve them. However, despite the progress achieved, many problems remain urgent.
Due to legal uncertainties and restrictions, some Belarusians are forced to leave Cyprus and move to other EU countries where conditions for living and working are more favorable. This outflow results in losses for Cyprus, which is deprived of highly qualified specialists as well as potential tax revenues from their activities.
Experience of other countries in supporting Belarusians
Some European countries have already taken important steps that significantly facilitate the life of Belarusians abroad. For example, Poland has simplified the process of obtaining student visas and refused to recognize the decision of Lukashenko’s regime to cancel the mutual recognition of certificates, which allows Belarusian students to continue studying in Polish universities. In addition, Poland has clarified and simplified the procedure for obtaining a «foreigner’s passport» and travel document, as well as actively issuing humanitarian visas to victims of political repression. Recently, such a passport was issued to a Belarusian in Italy, and in Lithuania, such precedents have already taken place, which greatly facilitates the process of legalization and protection of the rights of Belarusians abroad. These measures help Belarusians avoid the threat of forced return to Belarus, providing an opportunity to stay and work safely in Europe.
In addition, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on migration and protection of the rights of Belarusians, which was supported, among others, by Cypriot deputies. The document emphasizes the importance of simplifying procedures for Belarusians forced to leave the country due to political persecution and calls on European countries to provide them with humanitarian protection and access to social services. Such initiatives contribute to improving the situation of Belarusians living abroad and increase international pressure on Lukashenko’s regime.
The Lukashenko regime, which has been in place for 30 years, continues its brutal repression of the Belarusian people, destroying national identity and trampling on human rights. Belarusians are arrested for using their native language and national symbols, and books in the Belarusian language are burned. For Belarusians in Cyprus, the situation is complicated by Decree No. 278, which prevents them from obtaining new passports and maintaining legal status.
Under these circumstances, it is crucial to seek solutions both at the level of the Cypriot government and the international community to support the Belarusian diaspora. This will not only help people who find themselves in a difficult situation but will also make it possible to retain for Cyprus highly qualified specialists who make a significant contribution to the development of the country. Supporting the Belarusian community will be an important step in the struggle for democracy and human rights, in the face of the inhuman dictatorship in Belarus.