Lawtrend review: Freedom of association and legal environment for Belarusian CSOs in 2022 Document
The human rights organization Lawtrend presented a review of the situation of freedom of association and the situation of civil society organizations (CSOs) for the year 2022. The document examines the new legislative regulation of organizations and changes in the legislation on CSOs and contains a legal analysis. It considers interference in the activities of CSOs and the use of anti-extremism and anti-terrorism legislation, pressure, and liquidation of trade unions and other non-profit organizations.
The state has practically annulled the right to freedom of association. For two years (2021–2022) at least 757 non-profit organizations were in the process of forced liquidation; at least 416 organizations decided to self-liquidate, including as a result of coercion. Thus, the losses in the public sector of Belarus, since the post-election period of 2020, are already at least 1,173 non-profit organizations (public associations, trade unions, foundations, nongovernmental establishments, and associations (unions) of legal entities).
Other forms of pressure have continued to be applied to civil society organizations: inspections, written warnings, suspension of activities, their leadership, personnel, members, and volunteers bringing to administrative and criminal liability, and pressure on relatives and friends.
In addition to public associations, establishments, and foundations that faced unprecedented pressure in 2021, other non-profit organizations, in particular trade unions, also were subject to pressure (a number of independent trade unions were forcibly liquidated, and at least 40 their leaders and activists are in prison). The published draft law amending the law on political parties provides for the re-registration of political parties, and only two pro-government parties currently meet its criteria. Amending the law on religious organizations has been announced for 2023.
