Belarus, the EU’s Neglected Eastern Neighbor

Protests across Belarus in March 2017 sparked by the country’s deteriorating economic situation and the attempted implementation of a 'tax on social parasites' are being met with studied indifference from the EU, claims the author.

Other news sources also reported on the protests, which were also seen as expressing broader discontent against the mismanaged state-run economy of President Alexander Lukashenko.

ESO: Background information: Prolongation of arms embargo and restrictive measures against 4 individuals in Belarus, February 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/prolongation-of-arms-embargo-and-restrictive-measures-against-4-individuals-in-belarus/

ESO: Background information: Rising tension in the relations between Belarus and Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/rising-tension-in-the-relations-between-belarus-and-russia/

Deutsche Welle, 12.03.17: Belarus protests tax on unemployed 'parasites' http://dw.com/p/2Z4YB

Euronews, 13.03.17: Belarus protests put more pressure on Lukashenko over 'parasite' tax http://www.euronews.com/2017/03/13/belarus-protests-put-more-pressure-on-lukashenko-over-parasite-tax

Deutsche Welle, 25.03.17: Belarus cracks down on mounting protests http://dw.com/p/2ZwmP

BBC News, 26.03.17: Belarus protests: Government defends mass arrests http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39399953

Charter97, 26.03.17: People Take On To Kastrychnitskaya Square In Minsk https://charter97.org/en/news/2017/3/26/244926/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 28.03.17: What the EU Can Do for Belarus and Russia http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68419?lang=en

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