The European Commission has adopted a new €30 million package for the people of Belarus. It supports independent media, civil society and human rights organisations, keeping the possibility of a democratic Belarus alive by promoting civic empowerment, protecting human rights and developing Belarus’s human capital. With this package, EU assistance to Belarusian civil society since the sham 2020 elections now amounts to €200 million.
The decision was announced by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, at a high-level conference in the European Parliament.
Developed in close consultation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society, the new package will assist victims of repression, support journalists providing trusted information, and promote efforts to ensure accountability for the crimes of the Lukashenka regime. While the recent release of political prisoners is a positive step, all political detainees must be released unconditionally and allowed to live without intimidation. This sustained assistance empowers Belarusian civil society to overcome the regime’s repression and keeps alive the prospect of a future democratic Belarus. This is vital for a stable, safe Europe.
High Representative/Vice-President Kallas said: “The people of Belarus will one day shape their own country. The European Union will continue to stand with them and keep that hope alive. Today’s funding of 30 million euros will strengthen support for victims of repression, independent journalists, and initiatives pursuing accountability for the crimes committed by Lukashenka’s regime. Authoritarian power always has limits. And when that time comes in Belarus, the European Union will support the people reclaim their rights.”
Commissioner Kos said: “Our assistance empowers Belarusian human rights defenders to assist victims of repression and enables journalists and civil society to continue their work and keep the vision of democratic Belarus alive”.
