Belarus's National Assembly approved in two readings on December 14 a bill that allows authorities to strip citizenship from anyone, including native Belarusians, for extremism. The current law allows only naturalized citizens to be deprived of their citizenship if convicted of extremist activities. Authorities have labeled numerous independent media outlets, NGOs, journalists, and bloggers as extremists in the wake of mass protests that gripped the country following an August 2020 presidential vote that handed the authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka a sixth term in office despite opposition claims the election was rigged. To read the original story from RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
Belarusian Lawmakers Approve Bill Allowing Stripping Of Citizenship For Extremism
Demonstrators stand in front of riot police during a protest after polls closed in Belarus' presidential election, in Minsk on August 9, 2020.