AGP Executive Report

Belarus Crackdown on Education: Human Rights Watch says Belarusian authorities are running a nationwide intimidation campaign against students and families tied to the European Humanities University in Minsk, with searches, harassment, interrogations and detentions reported. Minsk School Admissions Pressure: In Novaya Baravaya, parents reportedly queued for a full day before secondary school applications opened, prompting officials to explain the rules and warn against “ghost participant” status. Belarusian Media Leadership: Lukashenko reshuffled top posts, appointing Volha Anufryieva as editor-in-chief of the Belarus Segodnya publishing house, with propaganda named as her key task. Belarusian Arts & Culture: A Minsk museum of naïve art has opened, promising to showcase both established and homeless artists. Sports & Symbols: Ukraine sent dozens of appeals urging international federations to block Belarusian and Russian athletes from competing under national flags and state symbols. World Cup Spotlight: Matchday action kicks off with Brazil vs Morocco and other group games, while Scotland begins its campaign against Haiti. Film & Music Culture: Russian war-era TV hit “Slovo Patsana” is examined as a major cross-border phenomenon in Russia and Ukraine. International Arts Loss: Photographer Duane Michals, known for sequential, text-poetic photo narratives, has died at 94.

Belarusian Culture & Arts: Berlin’s Distanz publishing house released the English catalogue “Sense of Safety. Art in a Time of War,” documenting a Kharkiv 2024 project where art and a bomb shelter worked together, with Belarusian Cultural Embassy involvement and “Bridges of Solidarity” partners across 12 countries. Belarusian Media & Rights: Belarus’ Investigative Committee says monitoring of Threads and TikTok has intensified, warning of legal action over misinformation, incitement, false danger reports, and “rehabilitation of Nazism.” Belarus–EU/Politics: The EU is preparing a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s fisheries, including a complete cod ban, and aligning trade restrictions for Belarus to prevent “backdoor” trade. Sports & Belarusian Spotlight: Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka joins TIME100 Sports, while the week also featured Belarus-linked football chatter (including a friendly result: Belarus 2–2 Burkina Faso). Tech & Defense (Belarus): A Vitebsk-based bureau showcased the shipborne Adunok-2M drone-defense combat module at Fleet 2026 in St. Petersburg, highlighting detection and tracking upgrades. International Arts: Photographer Duane Michals, known for sequential photo narratives with handwritten text, has died at 94.

Belarusian Culture & Arts: Belarusian composer and organist Olga Podgaiskaya has released her studio album “Organ Works,” a nine-piece, intimate musical response to recent years’ uncertainty and anxiety, now available via the Polish sublabel Opus-series.com. Photography: Celebrated photographer Duane Michals (94) has died; known for sequential, frame-by-frame narratives paired with handwritten text, he kept creating well into his 90s. Music & Community: “Sense of Safety. Art in a Time of War” was presented in Berlin, documenting a Kharkiv 2024 project where art helped turn a basement gallery into a bomb shelter and built “Bridges of Solidarity” across countries. Sports Spotlight: Aryna Sabalenka joins TIME100 Sports, adding to her dominant 2026 form and growing public profile beyond tennis. Belarus in the News: Belarusian tech firm Display Design Bureau (Vitebsk) showcased the shipborne Adunok-2M drone-defense combat module at Fleet 2026 in St. Petersburg. Online Rights: Belarus’ Investigative Committee warns of intensified monitoring of Threads and TikTok, targeting misinformation, incitement, false danger reports, and Nazism rehabilitation.

Arts Loss: Renowned photographer Duane Michals (94) has died, celebrated for sequential, frame-by-frame narratives paired with handwritten text. Belarusian Culture in Focus: Berlin’s Distanz released the English catalogue “Sense of Safety. Art in a Time of War,” built around a Kharkiv 2024 project where art and a bomb shelter shared the same underground space—co-led with the Belarusian Cultural Embassy and antiwarcoalition.art. Music Release: Belarusian composer/organist Olga Podgaiskaya unveiled her studio album “Organ Works,” a nine-piece, intimate response to anxiety and social tension. Belarus-Linked Sports & Media: Aryna Sabalenka made TIME100 Sports’ inaugural list, while Belarusian composer and organist news lands alongside broader European arts coverage. Online Rights & Monitoring: Belarus’ Investigative Committee warned of increased monitoring of Threads and TikTok, targeting misinformation, incitement, false danger reports, and Nazism rehabilitation. Cultural Diplomacy: Belarusian Cultural Embassy work also appears in the Berlin “Sense of Safety” presentation, reinforcing arts as cross-border care.

Belarus–Russia Legal Integration: Russia and Belarus’ supreme courts signed a memorandum to “harmonize” judicial practice and mutually enforce decisions, deepening Union State reforms. EU Sanctions & Belarus Trade: The EU proposed a full ban on Russian cod and tighter fish restrictions, explicitly aligning trade rules so Belarus can’t act as a backdoor for Russian seafood. Tennis & Belarus Spotlight: Aryna Sabalenka made TIME’s inaugural TIME100 Sports list, joining global stars like LeBron James and Lionel Messi—while French Open fallout kept her in the headlines. Belarus Human Rights Case: The appeal trial of former SOBR member Yuri Harauski over alleged enforced disappearances is set for 24 June in Switzerland. Arts & Culture (Ukraine): Kyiv premiered excerpts of the opera “Mothers of Kherson,” focused on the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian occupiers. Sports Beyond Belarus: World Sailing allowed Russian and Belarusian youth sailors to compete internationally under national flags.

Human Rights Watch: Armenia’s anti-trafficking progress gets a mixed verdict from the Council of Europe’s GRETA—victim identification improved, but labour exploitation prevention, proactive investigations, and victim compensation still need stronger push. Belarus Courtroom Update: The appeal trial of Yuri Harauski, a former SOBR member accused in enforced disappearances, is set for 24 June in St. Gallen, after an earlier acquittal and renewed scrutiny of his statements. Belarus–Catholic Church Pressure: Belarus has expelled foreign Catholic clergy by refusing residency renewals, tightening control over Polish priests and a monk across multiple dioceses. Belarus in the Wider News: Belarus reportedly boosted rail exports of gasoline and diesel to Russia in May amid fuel shortages tied to refinery disruptions. Arts & Culture Spotlight: A new book on contemporary Belarusian art from the past decade is set to be published, while Brest is also seeing fresh controversy over a new “military-patriotic” mural project. Sports & Entertainment: World Sailing has allowed Russian youth athletes to compete under their national flag, and Belarus is included—an international sports policy shift with cultural ripple effects.

Belarus–Ghana Diplomacy: President John Dramani Mahama’s landmark visit to Minsk included a wreath-laying at the Victory Monument and ended with memoranda to deepen cooperation, with Lukashenko framing the ties as a new, more structured partnership. Contemporary Belarusian Art: Open Muzej is preparing a book mapping Belarusian art from 2015–2025, built through an online “Revision and Collection” lab with seminars and collaborative writing, as the application deadline moves to June 15. Catholic Church Pressure: Belarus has expelled several Polish Catholic clergy by refusing to renew residency permits, part of a wider tightening of administrative control over foreign priests. Brest Public Art Backlash: A new large military-patriotic mural in Brest has drawn sharp criticism online, with residents questioning the “decorative patriotism” and the identity of the depicted serviceman. Sports & Culture Crossovers: Belarus is mentioned in international sport updates, including World Sailing allowing Russian youth athletes to compete under national flags and Belarusian athletes returning to full participation. World Cup Buzz: Ireland’s women’s team is headed to World Cup play-offs after France clinched qualification, with the draw including Belarus among possible opponents. Media & Fact-Checking: Belarusian state narratives were challenged by multiple fact-checks, including claims about Lukashenko’s popularity in Poland/Baltics and WWII-style military parallels.

Belarus–Ghana Focus: Lukashenko met Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in Minsk, pitching Belarus as a “reliable ally” for Africa’s “western flank” and highlighting agriculture, manufactured goods, and vocational training as key cooperation areas. Belarus in the UN Spotlight: Belarus helped push through a UN resolution in Vienna on combating trafficking in persons for forced criminality, stressing victim protection and the role of social media and digital recruitment. Fact-Check Roundup: Belarusian state media claims about Lukashenko’s popularity in the Baltics/Poland were flagged false, and another historical parallel about NATO units at the Belarus border was also debunked. Sports & Culture Calendar: Belarus plays Burkina Faso in a men’s friendly today, while Minsk’s arts scene gets a boost with a new Museum of Naïve Art opening to showcase both established and “homeless” artists. EU Russia Sanctions: The EU unveiled a new sanctions package targeting Russia, including tougher entry rules for military personnel and an energy pricing freeze. Ukraine War Rhetoric: Russia’s nuclear threats escalated in parallel with US warnings that the Ukraine war is a “strategic disaster” for the Kremlin.

Belarus in the UN spotlight: A UN Commission resolution initiated by Belarus was adopted in Vienna, focusing on combating trafficking in persons for forced criminality and urging stronger laws, victim protection, and safer digital recruitment. Fact-checks hitting state narratives: Belarusian state media claims about Lukashenko’s popularity in the Baltics/Poland, NATO “WWII-matching” units at the border, and Japan’s “Soviet magazine” role in its economic miracle were all debunked; another claim about Poland “kicking out” migrant doctors was also largely rejected. Minsk culture gets a new address: A Museum of Naïve Art opened in Minsk’s Arena City, promising works by both European-recognized artists and “homeless” creators, plus pieces from residents of a psychoneurological care home. Sports & media moments with Belarus links: Roland Garros’ Russian-neutrality rules hit headlines again after security removed a Russian flag during Mirra Andreeva’s celebrations; meanwhile, Belarusian Olympic Committee-backed events included an Omani skating team showcase in Belarus. Arts beyond Belarus: Ukraine’s Met Opera co-commission premiered in Kyiv with “Mothers of Kherson,” an opera based on real rescues of abducted children.

Roland Garros Buzz: Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, but the celebration was briefly interrupted when security removed a Russian flag from the stands under “neutral athlete” rules. Belarus Culture: A new Museum of Naïve Art opened in Minsk’s Arena City, promising shows of both European-recognized and “street-found” artists, plus works from residents of a psychoneurological care home. Belarus-Ukraine Arts: A Ukrainian opera, “Mothers of Kherson,” premiered in Kyiv, telling the story of women traveling via Poland, Belarus and Russia to rescue children held in occupied Crimea. Sports & Entertainment: Roger Federer is set for a U.S. Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium, teaming up with Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. Local Life Policy: Belarus’ Economy Ministry proposes new restrictions for gardening associations, including limits on renting garden houses for entertainment and event hosting. International Spotlight: Belarus is pushing deeper ties with Ghana, with Lukashenka framing agriculture as a key focus.

Tennis & Identity: Mirra Andreeva won her first French Open title, but Roland Garros security quickly removed a Russian flag from the stands during the trophy celebration, reflecting the tournament’s neutral-athlete rules for Russians and Belarusians. Belarus in the spotlight: Belarusian-Polish filmmaker Janusz Hawryluk’s documentary project “The Last Dog” earned a special industry award at the Krakow Film Festival, with the story set between fairy-tale fantasy and borderland reality. Arts & War on stage: A new opera, “Mothers of Kherson,” premiered in Kyiv, dramatizing how women traveled via Poland, Belarus and Russia to rescue children from occupied Crimea—an artistic push to keep war crimes in public view. Sports culture in Belarus: Omani skaters impressed at a Belarusian Olympic Committee festival in Svetlogorsk, with athletes meeting local peers and showcasing skating as part of youth sport. Belarus–China ties: China reaffirmed plans to strengthen cooperation with Belarus across trade, technology, energy, transport and innovation, including high-level exchanges. Online life rules: The UK’s Online Safety Act is reshaping how Britons access certain websites, with age checks and tighter platform duties changing everyday internet use.

Roland Garros Spotlight: Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title at 19, beating Poland’s Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2, but the celebration was briefly interrupted when security removed a Russian flag from the stands right after the trophy moment—another reminder that Russian and Belarusian athletes compete under neutrality rules. Belarusian Film News: Belarusian-Polish director Janusz Hawryluk’s documentary project “The Last Dog” is in production and earned a special industry award at the Krakow Film Festival 2026, blending fairy-tale elements with borderland reality through the story of an architect and a street musician. Opera as Memory: In Kyiv, the Met co-commissioned opera “Mothers of Kherson” premiered, telling the true story of women traveling via Poland, Belarus and Russia to rescue children held in occupied Crimea. Belarus on the Global Arts Map: The Belarusian MARA camp will return to Burning Man 2026 with “Laznia,” “Draniki,” and a night art car, bringing its community-made traditions back to the desert.

French Open Glory: Mirra Andreeva, 19, won her first Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros, beating Poland’s Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2—an emotional breakthrough that also highlighted how Russian athletes are still restricted from competing under their flag. Sports & Politics: The same final saw French Open security force a fan to remove a Russia flag, underscoring how the Russia-Ukraine war keeps spilling into global sport. Belarus in the Spotlight: Apple TV’s new thriller “Cape Fear” is surging worldwide, including in Belarus, as streaming audiences chase fresh adaptations. Belarusian Arts & Culture: Minsk hosted a photo report on the contemporary art fair OFF MUSEUM, while an exhibition of Rukhava carpets—now listed as cultural heritage—opened in the city. Belarusian Creative Industry: Zrobim architects co-founder Andrei Makouski is reported held in pre-trial detention again, after earlier tax-evasion-related scrutiny. Humanitarian Reality: In Ukraine, starvation fears are rising in Oleshky as residents remain trapped amid mined roads and blocked access.

Belarus-Kyrgyz Cooperation: Belarus and Kyrgyzstan signed a package of agreements in Bishkek, including mutual recognition of driving licences, labor and social cooperation, seed production, standardisation, and postal/e-commerce plans. Belarus Media & Environment: Green Network named winners of the Green Award for Belarusian environmental journalism, spotlighting work on Chornobyl, energy security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity. Belarus Arts & Culture: A Minsk exhibition of Rukhava carpets—now listed as cultural heritage—opened this week, adding fresh attention to traditional craft. Belarus Tech & Activism: Resident.ngo reported a phishing attack targeting Belarusian politician Yury Hubarevich, linked to Google Threat Intelligence infrastructure tied to a Belarus-associated cyber-espionage group. Sports & Entertainment (Global, with Belarus links): French Open chaos kept rolling, while coverage also highlighted how Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open run sparked major discussion. World Cup Culture: Mexico is tightening security around Mexico City’s Zócalo Fan Fest as protests grow, with FIFA Fan Fest crowds expected to swell—another reminder of how big events mix sport, media, and public life.

Belarus Arts & Culture: A new Minsk exhibition spotlights Rukhava Carpets, a straw-appliqué tradition from Staryja Darohi District that’s now part of Belarus’s cultural heritage spotlight. Belarus Sports & Entertainment: Belarus is also in the spotlight via international football friendlies, with Belarus vs Syria listed among Friday’s matchups. Belarus Media & Society: Belsat is switching to a new satellite, a move that will affect how audiences access the broadcaster. Belarus Arts & Community: Green Network named winners of its Green Award for Belarusian environmental reporting, including work on Chernobyl, energy security, climate adaptation, and urban biodiversity. Belarus Music & Public Life: Singer Aliaksei Khliastou has been released after an administrative arrest term, with his return shared by his wife on Instagram. Belarus-Regional Culture: Belarusian folk craft and Belarusian sports presence are also echoed abroad, as international events highlight Belarusian performers and teams.

Performing Arts: Bangkok’s International Festival of Dance & Music returns for its 28th edition (Sept 5–Oct 17, 2026), with 12 world-class shows from nine countries, including Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus productions “Cinderella” and “Romeo & Juliet,” plus Eifman Ballet and other international acts. Belarus Culture: A new exhibition of “Rukhava Carpets” opens in Minsk, spotlighting the straw-appliqué tradition from Rukhava (Staryja Darohi District) and its post-war craft legacy. Belarus Media: Belsat TV is switching to the Svoboda Satellite package on Hot Bird 13.0°E (with Astra access until mid-August), aiming to keep independent viewing easier for Belarusians. Environment Journalism: Green Network names winners of its Green Award for Belarusian reporting on climate, energy security, biodiversity, and Chornobyl impacts. Sports & Identity: Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open run ends in a dramatic quarter-final collapse to Diana Shnaider, while fencing’s federation restores full participation rights for Russian and Belarusian athletes under national flags. Belarus in Sport: Belarus hosts an international friendly slate including Belarus vs Syria, and Oman’s skating team is set for a historic debut in Belarus (June 6–7).