Updates

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.

The forced liquidation of CSOs that began in 2021 has received a new impetus since April 2024. Authorities have been liquidating public associations that have not introduced amendments to their charters, relating to the updated version of the Law.

The code restores the possibility for CSOs to represent public interest in civil cases, albeit limiting the extent to which they can contribute to the case.

It will now be possible for public associations to receive aid from corporate donors for any purpose set out in the charters of these public associations. This change potentially increases the pool of domestic funding available to civil society.

The new online system does not address CSOs’ main concerns about obligatory registration of foreign aid, regardless of the amount received, and about the very narrow, closed list of possible purposes for the use of this aid.

Removal of the last remaining pandemic restriction will facilitate the process of registering new CSOs.

Draft national budget for 2024 includes the provision of about 600,000 euros that local councils can distribute to civic initiatives.

Organisers are required to sign contracts for thousands of euros for policing, medical and cleaning services, with no guarantee the permission for the assembly will be granted.

Authorities declared Viasna Human Rights Center as “extremist” and can prosecute anyone cooperating with the organisation.

By the end of 2023, it's expected that only 4 out of the 16 existing parties will still operate in the country.