James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
In a powerful joint statement, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom have urged Belarus to cease its ongoing repression of civil society, media, and democratic voices.
The joint-CANZUK-statement marks the fifth anniversary of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, which sparked widespread protests and a brutal crackdown from the government.
The three nations condemned the Lukashenko regime’s systematic violations, including the detention of over 1,400 political prisoners, with 26 individuals sentenced to a combined 171 years in prison in July 2025 alone. They also highlighted the regime’s collaboration with Russia to suppress dissent, noting the severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.
The three nations condemned the Lukashenko regime’s systematic violations, including the detention of over 1,400 political prisoners, with 26 individuals sentenced to a combined 171 years in prison in July 2025 alone. They also highlighted the regime’s collaboration with Russia to suppress dissent, noting the severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.
The joint call demands the immediate release of political prisoners, an end to torture, and accountability for human rights abuses. It also expresses solidarity with Belarusians striving for democracy, emphasizing the importance of free elections and respect for fundamental freedoms.
The statement underscores the strength of coordinated international action, with Australia, Canada, and the UK leveraging their shared values to advocate for global human rights. This collaboration reflects the deep ties among these nations, rooted in their commitment to democratic principles and mutual support for a rules-based international order.
The unified stance also exemplifies how like-minded nations can amplify their influence on global issues. By working together, Australia, Canada, and the UK demonstrate the power of collective diplomacy to address authoritarianism, a model that strengthens the case for closer CANZUK cooperation in promoting shared values worldwide.
The full statement from Canada, Australia and the UK can be viewed here.
CANZUK International will continue to support initiatives that foster collaboration among Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK to champion democracy and human rights globally.
The statement underscores the strength of coordinated international action, with Australia, Canada, and the UK leveraging their shared values to advocate for global human rights. This collaboration reflects the deep ties among these nations, rooted in their commitment to democratic principles and mutual support for a rules-based international order.
The unified stance also exemplifies how like-minded nations can amplify their influence on global issues. By working together, Australia, Canada, and the UK demonstrate the power of collective diplomacy to address authoritarianism, a model that strengthens the case for closer CANZUK cooperation in promoting shared values worldwide.
The full statement from Canada, Australia and the UK can be viewed here.
CANZUK International will continue to support initiatives that foster collaboration among Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK to champion democracy and human rights globally.
Heading photo: Wikimedia Commons under license Attribution 4.0 International
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