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Belarus–Council of Europe relations

Belarus–Council of Europe relations refer to the diplomatic and cooperative engagements between the Republic of Belarus and the Council of Europe (CoE). Belarus has never been a full member of the Council of Europe, but it has participated in various CoE activities and signed several conventions. However, in March 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Committee of Ministers suspended all cooperation with Belarusian authorities while continuing engagement with Belarusian civil society and democratic forces in exile. A delegation still participates in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe activities.

History

Belarus began its relationship with the Council of Europe in 1992 by signing multiple conventions and participating in CoE programs. In 1993, Belarus applied for membership but was not admitted due to concerns over its democratic credentials and human rights record. In 1997, the country's special guest status in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was suspended due to a lack of democratic progress.

In the following years, Belarus maintained partial participation in various Council of Europe structures, such as the Venice Commission, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), and the European Pharmacopoeia. However, full membership remained out of reach due to continued concerns about democracy, rule of law, and human rights.

Following the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election and the subsequent government crackdown on protests, the Council of Europe intensified its criticism of Belarusian authorities. In March 2022, after Russia was expelled from the CoE, the Committee of Ministers decided to suspend all cooperation with Belarusian state institutions, citing the country’s complicity in the invasion of Ukraine.

In 2025, the Belarusian authorities added the Council of Europe website to the list of extremist materials.

Council of Europe Contact Group

In September 2022, the CoE established the Contact Group on Cooperation with Belarusian Democratic Forces and Civil Society. This initiative was designed to continue engagement with Belarusian opposition groups, independent media, human rights defenders, and exiled political activists.

The Contact Group supports activities such as:

  • Training Belarusian lawyers and human rights defenders on European legal standards.
  • Promoting awareness campaigns against the death penalty in Belarus.
  • Facilitating participation of Belarusian democratic forces in PACE sessions and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.
  • Providing support to Belarusian journalists and civil society organizations in exile.

Key developments

2023

  • Launch of a 15-point plan for Belarus, promoting human rights, independent media, and democracy.
  • Belarusian youth activists participated in the World Forum for Democracy.
  • Two workshops were organized for Belarusian journalists in exile.

2024

Positions of Council of Europe institutions

Committee of Ministers

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has played a central role in shaping CoE policy towards Belarus. In May 2024, it reaffirmed its commitment to working with Belarusian democratic forces, stating that:

  • "There is a need to enhance cooperation with Belarusian human rights defenders, democratic forces, free media, and civil society in exile."

Parliamentary Assembly (PACE)

PACE has consistently condemned the Belarusian government’s human rights violations and lack of democratic legitimacy. Key resolutions include:

  • January 2024: Resolution on a democratic future for Belarus, calling for the recognition of Belarusian opposition forces in PACE.
  • June 2023: Resolution on Belarusians in exile, advocating for visa facilitation and protection measures.
  • January 2025: PACE declared that the Belarusian presidential election of 26 January 2025 lacked democratic legitimacy and refused to recognize Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus.

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has emphasized the role of local democracy in a future democratic Belarus. It has:

  • Hosted workshops on decentralization and self-government reform for Belarusian activists.
  • Reviewed the "Local Self-Government Concept for a New Belarus" prepared by the opposition.
  • Invited Belarusian opposition representatives to participate in its 2025 sessions.

Commissioner for Human Rights

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has advocated for stronger support for Belarusian exiles, urging CoE member states to:

  • Provide stable residency and social benefits for Belarusian activists in exile.
  • Facilitate work permits and legal protections for journalists and NGOs.

Participation in Council of Europe conventions

Despite not being a CoE member, Belarus has ratified 12 conventions, including:

  • Anti-Doping Convention.
  • Convention on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications.
  • Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings.

However, Belarus' participation in CoE bodies such as GRECO, the Venice Commission, and the European Pharmacopoeia was suspended in 2022.

See also

References