Relocated NGOs face problems over Belarus’ role in Russia’s war against Ukraine, rights defender says

May 17, BPN. Belarusian nonprofits, which were forced to relocate abroad, face difficulties in their work because of Belarus’ role in the Russian war against Ukraine, said Volha Smalianka, of the Legal Transformation Center (Lawtrend), at an OSCE-hosted meeting on May 17.

She said that the government had shut down about 700 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), noting that political mechanisms cannot stop rights abuses.

Noting that many NGOs and thousands of activists were forced to flee Belarus, Smalianka said that many of them cannot continue their work and face restrictions in their host countries because Russia uses Belarus for attacks on Ukraine. She stressed that the relocated NGOs remain a part of civil society and that they need proper conditions.

Smalianka also expressed concern about the criminal persecution of activists on terrorism and extremism charges, noting that Belarus, Russia and other countries deliberately manipulate laws to continue harassment. She urged the OSCE to establish clear standards in the area.

She also raised the issue of government-organized NGOs that cast themselves as civil society organizations. She warned that their number would grow in the repressive climate.