On March 4, 2012, in response to criticisms from Western leaders who labeled him as a dictator, Lukashenko remarked, “It’s better to be a dictator than gay.”
This comment was directed at then-German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who is openly gay and had previously referred to Lukashenko as “Europe’s last dictator.”
Lukashenko’s remark drew widespread condemnation from various international figures and organizations. Germany’s government spokesperson responded by stating that Lukashenko’s homophobic comment “speaks for itself.”
Amnesty International also criticized the statement, highlighting it as an example of the Belarusian government’s intolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of repressive actions against LGBTQ+ individuals in Belarus. In recent years, authorities have intensified their crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community, mirroring repressive measures from neighboring Russia.
Police brutality against LGBTQ+ individuals has increased, with security forces making numerous arrests and demanding personal information about other community members. Since last autumn, 32 people have been detained and beaten in various cities, and several face severe charges and potential prison sentences. The Belarusian government is also pushing legislation to ban “gay propaganda” and enforce traditional family values.
