Updates

State bodies can now decide to restrict an individual’s access to internet and phone services, as opposed to blocking websites.

The draft law aims to treat information not accepted by the government as “propaganda” and expands the grounds for restricting freedom of expression and the right to privacy.

Belarusian parliament plans to reintroduce the draft law On Volunteer Activity, frozen since 2021.

Individuals can now end up on the list of people involved in extremist activities for violating the procedure for receiving and using foreign aid.

The new law does not introduce any significant changes to the registration of legal entities, nor does it correct current drawbacks.

CSO tax returns may again be submitted on paper, alleviating the financial and administrative burden of filing them electronically.

Government has rolled back some elements of the newly-introduced licensing requirements on social service providers, because of their negative impact on the care homes sector.

Between January 25 and 26, websites hosted inside Belarus were blocked for viewing by foreign visitors, and popular VPNs were blocked for users inside the country.

Despite the release of over 200 political prisoners in 2024, the upcoming election is marked by hundreds of new criminal cases and thousands of ongoing persecutions.

Proposed amendments to the Criminal Code would criminalise almost any possible violations in the field of foreign aid, including in the early stage of receiving aid (even if the aid is used for permitted purposes and not prohibited ones).

The criminal conviction against Hrodna Children's Hospice director in absentia becomes the first recorded verdict under article 193(1) of the criminal Code since its re-introduction in early 2022.

Increasingly, new mechanisms of direct or indirect licensing are introduced in Belarus, limiting the opportunities for CSOs to carry out social services, sports and other types of activities.