Just when you think it can’t get any worse . . .

. . . you find out that Belarusian dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko is removing children from their parents’ care and placing them in state orphanages on grounds of their being in a “socially dangerous situation.” [Farangis Najibullah and RFE/RL’s Belarus Service, January 22, 2025.]

These are not parents who are criminals, child abusers, drunks or drug addicts. They are people who have been charged with “spreading extremist material” — a civil violation used against those who are critical of the Lukashenko regime. And in cases of parents who may be suspected of a violation but not yet charged, the mere threat of having their children taken away is usually enough to shut them up.

One activist has said — on condition of anonymity — that the definition of “extremist material” is regularly updated by the Interior Ministry, and includes independent media websites that are banned in Belarus. Merely subscribing to, commenting on, or sharing their articles is enough to bring about an accusation of extremism. He also stated:

“A social worker told me that a special commission in the local government spends just 15 minutes per family to discuss and decide whether to add them to the list of those in ‘socially dangerous situations.’” [Id.]

So, on the basis of a 15-minute interview, children can be kidnapped and dumped into state-run orphanages, as punishment to their parents — all so that this tyrant can “win” another “election.”

I do not believe that is what the Old Testament means by “the sins of the father . . .” But neither do I believe that what the Bible says is of any concern to Lukashenko.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
1/26/25