Sida's work in Belarus
In 2021, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Sida's work in the country had to cease. Following the announcement, Sida has taken measures to protect the safety of partner organisations in the difficult situation that exists in the country. Sida also has adapted its activities to the existing conditions in Belarus.
Sida's work in Belarus
There are extensive violations of human rights in Belarus. The repression covers the whole of civil society, including restrictions on freedom of association and expression. There are major shortcomings in the rule of law and the rights of women and LGBTI people are violated. Despite the release of a number of political prisoners due to completed sentences or pardons, there are still over a thousand political prisoners in the country. Representatives of civil society organisations operating in Belarus continued to be subjected to detention, arrest, interrogation and other types of pressure and persecution. Authorities increasingly labelled human rights organisations as ‘extremist’, making it almost impossible for the political opposition and independent media to operate. Belarus is also the only country in Europe that still practices death penalty.
Access to independent higher education is limited in Belarus. Together with Lithuania and the EU, Sida supports the Belarusian European Humanities University (EHU) in Vilnius, Lithuania since 2004. EHU is an important contribution to a pluralistic civil society in Belarus, as evidenced by the fact that a large proportion of students have previously returned to Belarus after completing their studies, many of whom are found in civil society and local business.
European Humanities University website
Despite the difficult situation for civil society, it is strong and relatively united in its efforts for democratic change. Forum Civ works to empower civil society in the areas of gender equality, human rights and the environment.
Belarus has a long way to go regarding integration with the European Union and there is no political will for this. Much work remains to be done to live up to the EU’s expectations of respect for democracy and human rights.
Sida contributes to modern research in green economy, on how challenges within environment and climate can be transformed into financial possibilities. This is done through Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the independent think-tank Belarusian Economic Research and Outreach Centre (BEROC).
Updated: January 20, 2025