Three Women Against Lukashenko
In 2026, the International Criminal Court in The Hague opened an investigation into the situation in Belarus (see: ICC Prosecutor Concludes Preliminary Examination into Lithuania/Belarus Situation—belaruswomen.org):
As part of this process, a Pre-Trial Chamber was established, composed of three women judges (see: Republic of Lithuania/Republic of Belarus | International Criminal Court):
- Judge Iulia Motoc
- Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou
- Judge Socorro Flores Liera
This inevitably recalls Belarus in 2020, when the women’s trio — Veronica Tsepkalo, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Maryia Kalesnikava — became a symbol of Belarusians’ aspiration for justice and the rule of law. The country was swept by mass protests, to which the authorities responded with large-scale repression that continues to this day. Since 2022, the Lukashenko regime has also been complicit in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The International Criminal Court has already issued an arrest warrant for Putin (see: “Arrest Warrant for Putin. Lukashenko is next"-belaruswomen.org).
Six years later — in 2026 — three women judges in The Hague are now examining the situation in Belarus at the level of international justice.
From Protest to Justice
Since 2020, the Belarus Women’s Foundation has been consistently working to advance international accountability for the Lukashenko regime (see: Project “Road to The Hague”- belaruswomen.org).
The establishment of the Pre-Trial Chamber in 2026 appears as a symbolic continuation of this path — from documenting violations and collecting evidence to their consideration within the framework of international criminal justice.
The Road to The Hague Continues
The appointment of judges is not the end, but the beginning of the process. Ahead lies the collection of evidence, the establishment of responsibility, and possible charges. It is only a matter of time before international justice delivers a legal assessment of the actions of the Lukashenko regime.
It is already clear that the path that began in 2020 has now entered the international arena.
In this story, one line remains central — the role of women: from resistance within the country to justice at the international level.
#LukashenkaTribunal !
#RoadToTheHague #ICC
Image: Judges (right) © ICC-CPI