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Deutsche Welle (24 September 2020)

Tatyana Nevedomskaya

Authorities are warning parents in Belarus that they could lose custody of their children if they take them to anti-regime protests. But not everyone is deterred by this warning.

Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko, whose job includes ensuring that children’s rights are respected, recently announced that legal action could be taken against people who bring their kids to demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko. Not only would they face the prospect of steep fines — but now also risk losing custody of their children.

The public prosecutor has already sent out 140 warnings to this effect. Yet few Belarusians are letting such threats deter them. DW spoke to a number of parents about their experiences, and whether they will continue taking children to protest marches.  

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