Representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and international partners have presented key results of their work to promote equality and non-discrimination principles over the past two years in Belarus, at a conference held in Warsaw as part of a joint European Union-Council of Europe programme. The conference brought together Belarusian political leaders in exile, civil society and international partners, setting out future priorities and highlighting how cooperation continues to advance European standards and prepares the ground for a future democratic Belarus.
Claus Neukirch, Director of programme coordination of the Council of Europe, said: “With EU support, the Council of Europe goes beyond offering standards. Together we create solutions. Our collaboration with the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society on equality and anti-discrimination continues and demonstrates that even in exile, committed partnership can build the basis for change.”
Making real change for Belarusians
Participants reiterated the political commitment of Belarusian democratic actors to embed equality principles in their current and future work. “Our objective is clear: a democratic Belarus where legislation, public policies and institutions fully adhere to European human rights standards, ensuring equality and protection for all,” stressed Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet.
A central achievement presented was the Statement of principles on non-discrimination, adopted by the Coordination Council in February 2026 and reflecting a shared commitment to these principles across the democratic movement. “This common position demonstrates our collective responsibility to ensure inclusive, transparent and participatory policymaking not only in future reforms, but already in our political action today”, noted Artsiom Brukhan, Speaker of the Coordination Council.
The conference also showcased key outputs developed through cooperation activities, such as the Concept Law on equality and non-discrimination, the Glossary of key terminology in Belarusian language created jointly with Belarusian experts, as well as publicly available online training courses on anti-discrimination principles, equality bodies and anti-racism.
“Civil society plays a crucial role not only in designing frameworks aligned with European standards, but also in ensuring their practical application, by engaging communities, supporting victims and advocating for inclusive policies,” said Ekaterina Deikalo of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee.
Discussions further addressed the practical application of these standards in political and civil society work, as well as specific challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including the Belarusian LGBTI community in exile, with the outline of a future study on their situation presented.
Engaging with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society
The conference is part of a broader sustained engagement with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society under the Council of Europe Contact Group on cooperation with representatives of Belarusian democratic forces and civil society. The activities under the Contact Group enable Belarusian partners to remain connected to European legal and policy frameworks, despite the suspension of Council of Europe cooperation with Belarusian national authorities in 2022 due to their support to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Looking ahead, participants welcomed the new list of activities for 2026-2027 to be conducted under the Contact Group, which will continue to support Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in several areas, including anti-discrimination, human rights protection, addressing hate speech, transnational repression and responding to the needs of vulnerable groups.
This event is part of the European Union and Council of Europe Joint Programme “Partnership for Good Governance”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Activity on co-operation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in the field of anti-discrimination - phase II”.
Read more about the Council of Europe’s work on equality
Read more about promoting equality and non-discrimination within the Partnership for Good Governance
