Rights and Dreams: RADA’s Advocacy for Belarusian Youth
The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” has released a comprehensive report titled “Rights and Dreams: Advocacy for Belarusian Youth”, capturing the state of human rights, civic space, and political repression affecting young Belarusians. The report reflects the situation as of the end of 2024, highlighting the cumulative effects of four years of systemic crackdowns following the 2020 presidential election.
As the Belarusian state continues its campaign of political repression and civil society erasure, the report highlights the stark realities and unyielding courage of Belarusian youth.
Let’s highlight the key points of the report:
- A Shrinking Civic Space
Over 1,800 NGOs have been liquidated since 2020, silencing entire sectors of civil life: from student groups and independent media to environmental activists and language schools. This repression is particularly acute for young people, who find themselves blocked from opportunities for growth, expression, and international exchange.
- The Rise in Political Persecution
The number of political prisoners continues to grow, with 351 youth under 35 currently behind bars for political reasons. Many face extreme sentences and prison conditions for participation in protests or civil society work. One harrowing case is that of Marfa Rabkova, a youth human rights defender sentenced to nearly 15 years after being charged under 12 criminal articles. Her imprisonment has led to serious health deterioration and international condemnation.
- Discrimination Beyond Borders
In addition to domestic repression, Belarusian youth face barriers internationally. Democratic youth organizations have been increasingly excluded from European mobility programs like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps due to their legal status or association with the Belarusian state. The report emphasizes that over 3,400 young Belarusians have taken part in EU exchanges, highlighting the importance of these programs for fostering democratic citizenship and international solidarity.
RADA’s working group has launched successful advocacy campaigns, leading to:
– Restoration of Quality Labels for previously accredited organizations,
– Publication of a joint statement on SALTO EECA’s platform,
– Political engagements in Brussels with EU institutions and SALTO Inclusion & Diversity.
- A Youth Sector in Exile
The regime’s tightening grip is pushing Belarusian youth abroad — an estimated 300,000 people have left the country since 2020, including over 18,000 students. However, once abroad, these young people are often unable to represent Belarus in official EU programs, creating an artificial blockade on civic participation.
- Fighting for a Future Without the Death Penalty
“RADA” has also ramped up efforts in the fight against capital punishment in Belarus. Over 300 people have been executed since 1994, many of them youth. New legal amendments now allow for death sentences even in cases without fatalities, setting alarming precedents.
“RADA” and our partners, including The Human Rights Center “Viasna” and the Council of Europe, have held advocacy hackathons, media actions, and international meetings to push for a moratorium and increase public awareness.
“Unfortunately, a large number of young people believe that the death
Zmitser Herylovich, Advocacy Officer of “RADA”
penalty does not exist in our country. We see a significant gap in awareness
on this issue in Belarus at various levels. We have already developed a vision
of how to influence this and how to assist the campaign ‘Human Rights
Defenders Against the Death Penalty in Belarus’ in achieving its goal – a
moratorium on the death penalty.”
