BYACTION
A volunteer initiative dedicated to supporting victims of political repression from Belarus
Our Work
BYACTION is guided by a simple principle: no one should be denied access to justice and protection.
WE OBSERVE
We monitor the situation of Belarusian asylum seekers in the United States.
WE ASSIST
We strive to provide targeted assistance to those whose situations raise the greatest concern.
WE ADVISE
We provide lawyers working on Belarus-related matters with country conditions information.
WE COOPERATE
We work with Human Rights Organizations and the media to bring public attention to cases involving imminent danger.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOLS
We develop practical ways to support individuals who may face removal to Belarus and may be at risk upon return.
ACT NOW
If you represent a Human Rights Organization or Government agency, please contact us if you are interested in working together to support Belarusians at risk of persecution.
If you would like to support ByAction, you can share information about our work on social media and with friends, colleagues, and partner organizations. This helps us reach more people who may need assistance.
OUR CONCERN
Our community grew out of a practical need to support Belarusians who found themselves in vulnerable situations amid the political repression that intensified in Belarus after 2020.
Thousands of Belarusians left the country and sought safety abroad, including in the United States.
We are grateful that the United States provides people fleeing persecution with an opportunity to seek asylum and other forms of protection. At the same time, navigating the U.S. immigration system can be difficult, particularly for asylum seekers facing long processing times, detention, or uncertainty about their cases.
Friends Founders
Our primary goal is to prevent further violence against people who have experienced political repression.
Risk to Life and Health
People deported or extradited to Belarus may face screening, interrogation, arrest, torture, and imprisonment. Sending people back to Belarus can place them in the custody of the same authorities responsible for political repression.
Transnational Repression
The Belarusian regime also targets perceived opponents abroad. Belarusian authorities have used abductions, international wanted lists, diplomatic channels, covert operations, and criminal intermediaries to pursue people outside the country.
A person does not need to be a political leader or prominent opposition figure to become a target. Public criticism, openly expressing an opinion, or helping others may be enough.
The U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, and human rights organizations have documented these practices.
Repression of Lawyers and the Punitive Judicial System in Belarus
Belarusian authorities have systematically restricted the independence of lawyers and interfered with their work. Lawyers have faced threats, arrest, loss of their licenses, exclusion from legal practice, and other forms of pressure.
Courts are also used as instruments of repression. The reported conviction rate in criminal cases is 99.9 percent.
People whom the Belarusian regime regards as enemies may face severe retaliation, including imprisonment, torture, and threats to their lives.
Persecution of Human Rights Defenders in Belarus
Belarusian authorities systematically target human rights defenders, volunteers, and activists through arrests, violence, and threats. Many are accused of “extremism” or “terrorism,” held in harsh prison conditions, forced to confess, and tried behind closed doors. Their families also face intimidation, and civil society organizations are forced to close.
These practices are intended to silence dissent and dismantle independent civil society in Belarus.
VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE POLICY
ByAction is an independent, noncommercial initiative. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice, legal representation, immigration consulting, or case-specific legal strategy. Our work is focused on assisting individuals from Belarus affected by political persecution. We are not affiliated with any attorney or law firm, do not receive referral fees, and do not endorse or recommend any specific legal service provider. ByAction volunteers condemn any misuse or abuse of the asylum and protection system. Any information we share is provided solely for informational purposes and does not create an attorney-client or representative-client relationship.
PARTNERS
