At least 1,696 NGOs dissolved since August 2020

July 9, Pozirk. At least 1,696 non-governmental organizations were dissolved in Belarus between the 2020 presidential election and late June 2024, the Lawtrend human rights group said.

By the end of June, at least 1,061 NGOs were ordered to shut down and 635 filed for dissolution on their own.

However, most of the latter decided to disband because of pressure on their members, the unfavorable legal environment and political reprisals.

Lawtrend emphasized that extremism laws have been used for several years to lock up opposition activists and NGO members.

The government declares any action contradicting its policies to be extremist.

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