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The 2017 Belarusian protests were a series of demonstrations and street protests against PresidentAlexander Lukashenko that broke out in late February 2017. Protesters mobilized against a tax levied against the unemployed in Belarus. Demonstrations and marches were held in sites throughout the country with sizes of several hundred to several thousand gathering at a given time.
Belarus has been described for several years as Europe's "last dictatorship" with no genuine political opposition against Lukashenko possible.[4] Previous protests in 2011 and 2015 resulted in mass arrests. The country has also been in an economic recession since 2015 due to falling gasoline prices and that year a law was passed taxing the unemployed.[1] Roughly 470,000 Belarusians are obliged to pay the tax but only about 10% have since it was issued.[1]
Approximately 2,500 protesters[5] filled the streets in Minsk on 17 February to protest a policy that required anyone who works for less than 183 days[6] per year to pay US$250 for "lost taxes" to help fund welfare policies.[7] This converts to approximately 5 million Belarusian rubles.[1] The law has proven unpopular and has been mocked in the public as the "law against social parasites".[1] On 19 February, another 2,000 demonstrated in the second city of Gomel.[7] Both gatherings were unauthorized but were not disrupted by authorities. Smaller demonstrations were held in other cities.[8]
On 25 March, opposition leader Vladimir Nekliayev, who was set to speak at the main protest, was stopped in the morning on his way to Minsk, his wife said.[9]
The government defended the mass arrests and beatings against citizens by alleging that the police had found "petrol bombs and arms-laden cars" near a protest in Minsk.[10]
Maladzyechna – a rally in the Central Square, speeches, the adoption of a resolution and the procession to the tax service. The number of people gathered from 500 to 1,000 people.
After the rally, the organizers received 15 days of arrest.[17]
Babruysk – about 700 protesters gathered at Pieramohi square. The rally was spontaneous, none of the opposition leaders were present.[20][21][22]
Orsha - the number of people gathered exceeded 1,000 people. Before the rally, journalists were detained to check documents [23]
Rahachow - about 400 participants. People discussed the current government and whether there is an alternative to it, and complained about the lack of work.[24]
Mogilev – More than 500 residents of Mogilev went to protest [25]
To the protesting crowd came member of parliament Ihar Marzaliuk, five people arrested [26]
Minsk – From the cinema『Kastryčnik』to Banhalor Square and Družby Narodaŭ Park passed 1.5 to 4.5 thousand people, chanting "Long Live Belarus!", "No to Decree No.3 – Lukashenka go away!"[25]
