English

In April 2026, the systemic crisis regarding freedom of association in Belarus persisted.

In light of the intensifying practice of designating Belarusian human rights organizations as extremist formations, we, a coalition of Belarusian and international human rights organizations, state the following:

In light of emerging reports that the authorities have arbitrarily declared invalid the passports of former political prisoners who were forcibly expelled from Belarus after their release in September and December 2025, we, a coalition of Belarusian human rights organizations, state the following:

March overview: NGO activities, liquidation trends, pressure on civil society organizations and persecution of their members, new legislative developments.

In February 2026, the Republic of Belarus continued the systematic narrowing of the space for the activities of civil society organizations (CSOs), including registered public associations, foundations, and institutions.

Trends in the exercising of freedom of association, registration, liquidation, and funding of NGOs, domestic and international pressure, extremism, and new legislation.

The beginning of 2026 has brought no changes in Belarus regarding the continuation or scale of repression.

Results of Quantitative Research as of December 15, 2025.

Repression in Belarus has not decreased in intensity. On December 13, 123 political prisoners were released early, including representatives of civil society organisations (the CSOs), in particular two human rights defenders from the Human Rights Centre “Viasna”.

In connection with the intensifying practice of forced expulsion from Belarus of pardoned political prisoners, which is taking on a mass and systematic character, we, a coalition of Belarusian human rights organizations, declare the following:

General trends in legislation on non-profit organizations in Belarus since 2021

On 18 November 2025, by presidential decree, the plan for the preparation of draft legislative acts for 2026 was approved. Unlike the plan implemented in 2025, the 2026 plan provides for the development and adoption of several laws that directly concern the activities of non-profit organizations.

Repressions in Belarus show no signs of abating. Despite selected acts of pardon (during the monitoring period, two Catholic priests were released from places of detention under a presidential pardon) and the completion of full prison terms by some political prisoners, more than one hundred representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) continue to be held…

Despite the ongoing attempts by the Belarusian authorities to restrict access to information, it can be stated with confidence that repression in the country continues.

Despite the early release of several political prisoners (representatives of civil society organizations, including trade unions), repression against Belarusian civil society has not weakened.

Freedom of association in Belarus is practically nonexistent. Despite the campaign for the mass liquidation of non-profit organizations (except religious organizations), which has ended in the country, there are serious problems with the implementation of this right:

The campaign of mass liquidation of non-profit organizations in Belarus has come to an end.

Repressions against Belarusian civil society organizations and individuals, both within the country and those in exile, continue.

This presentation is based on the report submitted by Lawtrend within the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review.

Repressions against Belarusian civil society organizations and individuals both within the country and those forced into exile continue.

Massive repressions against Belarusian civil society organizations and citizens, both within the country and those who have been forced to leave abroad, continue unabated.

Monitoring report

International Frameworks and Commitments General Provisions Recommendations: Abolish the ban on the activities of public associations without registration, set such provisions out in the Law ‘On Public Associations’, cancel criminal responsibility for organising and participating in the activities of an unregistered organization (Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code) and review the sentences imposed under this…

In March 2025, large-scale repressions in Belarus against Belarusian civil society organizations and individuals both within the country and those forced into exile continued.

In February 2025, large-scale repressions in Belarus and against Belarusian citizens continued. More than a hundred representatives of civil society organizations remain in detention.

In January 2025, the situation regarding freedom of association reflected the overall human rights situation in the country – repression intensified against the backdrop of the so-called electoral process.

In late 2024, the Belarusian government eased the negative changes introduced previously during 2024 that targeted civil society organisations, including suspending the ban on printed tax returns and revising strict requirements for institutions providing residential social services (care homes).

The large-scale repressions against civil society organizations and activists in Belarus continue for more than four years.

This material provides an overview of the situation regarding the registration and liquidation [1] of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Belarus across three organizational-legal forms (public associations, institutions, and non-state institutions). The overview is based on the analysis of quantitative data from a database of registered and liquidated NGOs compiled by the Lawtrend human rights organization.

Repressions against civil society organizations and activists in Belarus continue unabated. Over a hundred civil society representatives are in detention.