“Civil society has always been the heart of Belarus. It is made up of volunteers who help those in need by supporting pensioners and people with disabilities, providing educational opportunities for children and youth, defending human rights, and fostering culture and education. These are dedicated, inspired individuals who make our society open, strong, and united. But piece by piece, the regime has been destroying this heart. Over the past 4.5 years, more than 1,800 NGOs have been shut down. Thousands of Belarusians have been deprived of the vital support that these initiatives once provided.
This is an attempt to strip Belarusians of solidarity and the opportunities to unite. But the regime fails to understand that civil society is not about offices and registrations – it is about people. And despite threats and pressure, these people have not disappeared. Even under relentless repression, Belarusians continue to support one another.
NGOs that had to stop operating inside the country now help Belarusians abroad by supporting persecuted political prisoners and their families, human rights defenders, journalists, and all those in exile who need assistance. Inside Belarus, people self-organize and create grassroots initiatives to ensure that no one facing hardship is left alone.
This solidarity is what has always united us. As long as people are willing to lend a hand, offer support, and stand together, civil society remains alive. It lives in each of us. And no dictatorship can ever destroy that”.
