The history of freedom of assembly, association, and expression in Belarus since independence reads of a state in near-permanent war against its own civil society.
This has only heightened since 2020, with the liquidation of all human rights organisations, and a near complete closing of civic space in the country. In 2024, ongoing attacks by the Belarusian state against independent civil society and human rights defenders have only increased.
This side event will focus on the current state of the human rights landscape in Belarus, including an overview of main trends, recent legislative actions to further curtail rights, and other steps taken by the Belarusian state against independent civil society and human rights defenders. Panelists will also provide specific recommendations to OSCE participating States to address these issues, both bilaterally and within the framework of the OSCE.
