Non-Discrimination of Young Belarusian Activists and Support for Democratic Principles in Europe
Over the past two years representatives of independent youth organizations in Europe, Belarusian youth NGOs, have shown their strong determination and will to revitalise democracy and to defend youth rights.
Representatives of civil society, including member organisations of the Belarusian National Council RADA, have experienced various types of discrimination. Hundreds and thousands of young people from Belarus were forced to leave their country for security reasons, as well as to Ukraine. Tens of thousands were arrested in Belarus, over a thousand are still in prisons and deprived of all their democratic rights and the right to live freely in their country.
All these people are either political prisoners or political refugees.
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Combating menstrual poverty across Europe - an unseen hindrance to equal opportunities
Around 10% of people who menstruate in the EU face period poverty, especially those with low income, refugees, youth, and people with disabilities. The European Youth Forum urges action to end period poverty as a key step toward gender equality and the right to menstrual health.
Safeguarding Independent National Youth Councils and Guaranteeing the Stability of Youth Policy in Europe
The independence of National Youth Councils across Europe is under threat, requiring urgent political action. This motion supports the European Youth Forum’s Strategic Plan 2024–2028 to strengthen democracy, protect civic space, and defend youth organisations from political interference.
Protecting civil society and civic spaces in Georgia
In March 2023, the Government of Georgia initiated work on a legislative proposal on “foreign agents” that would have forced civil society organisations to be registered as being under foreign influence should they be receiving funding from sources outside of the country. As Georgia initiated negotiations for EU membership merely 6 months ago, this underscores how fragile Democracy and the Rule of Law are in our societies and how civic spaces must be protected tirelessly every day, everywhere.