Russian influence in Belarus

Why do some post-Soviet countries remain under Russian control and some don't? Are any of the countries in the Baltics, Balkans, or Eastern Europe safe from Russia's military or intelligence reach? What does Russia have to gain from influencing the politics of a country that seems to have little influence elsewhere? These questions are some of the most popular discussions in European foreign affairs, as each year every country must strategize about how they will continue their relations with Russia. 

This past year, Russia's influence in Belarus became unavoidably clear, as the two countries have been openly cooperating against anti-government movements. Just today, Russia sent fighter jets to help patrol Belarus's borders.

Over the last year, the world has watched Belarus's government, President Lukashenka in particular, increasing government control of the population and suppressing opposition parties within the country. The administration was supported by Russia's President Putin from the militarization of the government to limiting the freedom of speech, and public information. The tactics applied in Belarus are ones that Putin knows how to apply in his own country, and ones he would easily apply against the will of any other post-Soviet country.

Why should we talk about this today, if this has been going on for months? Russia's fighter jets have just added fuel to the already burning with anger NATO (anger that most likely won't result in anything but sanctions, but still...). With every year, tensions between Russia and Europe rise. Each time the Russian government attempts to further their military land base to countries that are allied with Europe (Georgia, Ukraine, the Baltics), new talks of the Russia issue arise. Yet, they rarely lead to anything because the European governments see the issues as too far removed, and the economic benefits from not getting involved as a too high set. 

This time might be one of the last ones before it is too late, therefore Europe and the US should finally begin thinking in the long run and forget about the short economic benefits. Promote freedom of speech within Belarus, start own anti-propaganda campaigns in the region, support those who speak out against the corrupt governments, and provide them with protection.

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/belarus-and-europes-new-iron-curtain/

https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-moves-sukhoi-su-30-fighter-jets-belarus-patrol-borders-minsk-says-2021-09-08/

Secularism in France and Québec at the Expense of Muslim Women

Since the 1980s, France has been battling with keeping the country secular, by implementing laws specifically targeting Muslim women from wearing hijabs and face coverings. Last April, France’s dominant conservative party, Les Républicains, came on stronger, amending the laws to include forbidding anyone wearing visible religious attire to participate in sporting events, the outlawing of the burkini (a full body swimsuit), and prohibiting anyone under the age of 18 from wearing a hijab. 

Banning a source of pride and identity for Muslim women in France is not empowerment, it is oppression. The secular law bans civil servants from wearing hijabs, and appearing in a hijab for both students and parents. Not only does the amendment cut Muslim hijab-wearing mothers from participating in their children’s school activities but also denies them access to all governmental employment opportunities (The Guardian). Instead of allowing the freedom of choice for muslim women to express their religion, politicians claim the “anti-separatism” measures are in the name of public safety and empowerment, despite having the largest Muslim population in Western Europe (Times). French politicians believe that by allowing hijabs and religious wear, parents would ‘impose harmful dogmas’ onto their children at an age too early for their comprehension (Washington Post). Yet, if that assertion was true, regulations on hijabs and religious outfits would not exist at all. The government’s facade as savior and deliverer from oppression is deplorable and disturbing given how blatant their actions are to reclaim women’s freedoms. 

In rebellion, French women created the viral hashtag, #PasToucheAMonHijab, to protest the regulation of Muslim women’s bodies in the name of secularism and Islamophobia. While the redundancy is banal, women’s bodies are still being ruthlessly questioned, and what’s worse, Muslim women are intentionally excluded from the conversation (Washington Post). 

Following in France’s footsteps, in late April Quebec passed Bill 21, prohibiting government workers in positions of authority the right to wear religious symbols (BBC). Although those opposed have labeled this law “an assault on religious minorities,” Quebec Premier, Francios Legualt, argued that while serving the public, those in public positions should not be adorned in attire that could potentially encourage their faith (Washington Post, Quebec). He furthers the Catholic Church has long held unfair control, but however hypocrtically, chooses to take aggressive actions that are directed at muslim hijab-wearing women.

It is highlighted here an underlying theme of comparative politics- countries lead by example. What is unjust and inhumane will continue to penetrate other areas of the world if measures are not taken to resist oppression, the audacious will of a patriarchal society and the unrelenting, insidious nature of inequity across borders. 

https://time.com/6049226/france-hijab-ban/

https://www.vie-publique.fr/loi/277621-loi-separatisme-respect-des-principes-de-la-republique-24-aout-2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/04/21/france-hijab-ban-vote-exclusion/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56821752 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/04/20/quebec-canada-religious-hijab-turban-ban/ 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/27/i-felt-violated-by-the-demand-to-undress-three-muslim-women-on-frances-hostility-to-the-hijab

https://www.newstatesman.com/world/europe/2018/05/outrage-over-hijab-reveals-hypocrisy-french-secularism

https://m.facebook.com/PasToucheAMonHijab/photos/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=0