Belarus Women’s Foundation supports the initiative to provide redress for political repression and efforts to identify lawful mechanisms for compensating those affected using the assets of the Lukashenko regime and those responsible for repression.
The Foundation’s Chair, Veronica Tsepkalo, sent an appeal on behalf of the Foundation to Members of the European Parliament, asking them to support the inclusion of “Politically Motivated Property Confiscations in Belarus and Russia” on the agenda of the plenary session on 19–22 October 2026. (Appeal to the European Parliament on Politically Motivated Property Confiscations in Belarus and Russia-belarusforum.org).
For Veronica Tsepkalo, this issue is deeply personal. Following her participation in the 2020 presidential campaign as part of the female trio, she and her husband faced politically motivated persecution. Their property in Belarus was first vandalised and subsequently sold at auction — including personal belongings, family photographs, their children’s clothes and toys. The proceeds went to the Lukashenko regime. (The Lukashenko Regime Continues to Retaliate and Seize Property from Veroniсa and Valery Tsepkalo - belaruswomen.org)
Their experience is not unique. Politically motivated confiscations and the forced sale of property affect many families in Belarus. People lose not only their homes and livelihoods, but also belongings tied to their family history. The consequences of repression affect children and loved ones, and persecution continues even after people have been forced to leave the country.
Those affected and their families bear the losses, while the regime that caused the harm receives the proceeds from the sale of their property.
The Belarus Women's Foundation believes that this issue deserves the European Parliament’s attention. A debate would provide an opportunity to highlight these violations, acknowledge the harm caused to those affected and support further work on accountability and compensation mechanisms.
Belarus Women’s Foundation believes that those responsible for political repression must bear financial responsibility for its consequences.
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#DemandForJustice