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.
Related publications
The Protection of Youth Freedom of Expression and Solidarity with Enes
In February 2026, the main trial of Enes Hocaoğulları — a Youth Delegate to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe — will take place, following politically motivated charges related to his public statements delivered within an official Council of Europe setting.
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.
Youth Progress Index: Youth Progress and Civic Space
Civil society organisations play a critical role in amplifying the voices of marginalised and vulnerable groups, highlighting the key challenges they face and ensuring that their concerns reach diverse audiences. However, recent years have been marked by a disturbing trend of shrinking civic spaces, including those of youth organisations.