Belarusian Resistance
Hanna Liubakova Highlights Belarusian Resistance at the National Assembly of France
Hanna Liubakova spotlights ongoing repression and the power of independent media in Belarus’s fight for democracy.
On October 7, Hanna Liubakova spoke at the National Assembly of France during an event organized by the Alliance of Parliamentary Groups for Democratic Belarus. National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet opened the conference with strong words of support before leaving for an emergency meeting on the political crisis, underscoring the event’s significance amid a turbulent political context.
Liubakova, an exiled Belarusian journalist and political analyst and a resident of the Displaced Artists Initiative at Reid Hall, participated in the first roundtable, which focused on the five years since the Belarusian revolution and the prospects for its democratic future. Liubakova was the only journalist and the only woman on this panel.
During her remarks, Liubakova addressed the ongoing repression in Belarus, noting that despite occasional releases, arrests continue daily. She highlighted the regime’s grim practice of using hostages for political concessions and cautioned against premature policy changes that could risk Belarus becoming a sanctions loophole, especially as it strengthens military and economic ties with Russia.
She emphasized the vital role of independent media as a pillar of resistance. Despite censorship, internet blockades, and repression, independent media reaches people inside Belarus from exile and underground, sustaining public awareness, countering Lukashenka’s and Russia’s propaganda, and amplifying the voices of those resisting oppression.
Liubakova also highlighted the courage of ordinary Belarusians: teachers conducting underground Belarusian language classes, writers publishing in Belarusian, and citizens rediscovering their history—all acts that are foundational to national revival. She concluded by stressing the extraordinary solidarity among Belarusians, which persists despite ongoing repression.
Moderated by Jérôme Heurtaux, lecturer in political science at the University Paris-Dauphine, the panel also included Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus; Ruslanas Baranovas, member of the Seimas; Vitali Gavrouc, member of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova; and Kimmo Kiljunen, member of the Eduskunta.
The event concluded with a reception organized by Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Liubakova, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former journalist at Belsat TV and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, is completing her book Exiled Voice: Preserving Belarus’s Story during her residency at Reid Hall.
Hanna Liubakova is an exiled journalist and political analyst from Belarus. She is a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and has written about developments in Belarus for international outlets including The Washington Post, The Economist, and others. Liubakova began her career at Belsat TV, the only independent Belarusian television channel, banned by the regime in Minsk. She also worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Prague, Czechia. She is currently writing a book about Belarus.
