Activity

1.1.1 “BRINGING THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS TO BELARUS”: AWARENESS-RAISING AND CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOPS ON THE ECHR FOR BELARUSIAN LAWYERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

Purpose

Up to four small-scale, practice-oriented, one-day workshops on the Convention and case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in selected areas (such as criminal justice, possibly also freedom of expression, data protection etc.) will be organised. The purpose is to demonstrate how the ECHR provisions can be used for reforming the relevant legislation and shape the judicial practice when the opportunity is there. Taking into account the situation of the legal system of Belarus, at least one specific workshop will be devoted to rule of law standards, to demonstrate the systemic approach to the law and the rule of law as an inalienable element of democracy and the foundation for incorporating all international legal standards (including ECHR). The workshops should help prepare future actors for the eventual transition period in Belarus.

Contextualisation of a relevant European Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) course could be envisaged if conditions allow, to be followed online by the participants of the one-day workshops.

Main partners

Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Human Constanta, Belarusian Human Rights House in Vilnius, Human Rights House Network (Norway), Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland)

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.1.2 “BRINGING THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS TO BELARUS”: STUDY VISITS ON THE ECHR AND THE RULE OF LAW FOR BELARUSIAN LAWYERS

Purpose

Study visits to Strasbourg and member countries of the Council of Europe will be organised for Belarusian lawyers, many of whom were deprived of their licences and are in exile due to repressions. One study visit to Strasbourg will include in-depth familiarisation with Council of Europe bodies, including work practices of the ECtHR and Venice Commission.

Study visits to member countries would include meetings with local bars and other professional associations of lawyers, lawyers working with ECHR, relevant judges, the Ministry of Justice. Such visits will contribute to lawyers’ capacity-building and help prepare the transformation of the legal system of Belarus.

Main partners

Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Right to Protection (Belarusian initiative for advocates), Belarusian Human Rights House, Netherlands Helsinki Committee

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.1.3 “BRINGING THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS TO BELARUS”: HUMAN RIGHTS AND RULE OF LAW ONLINE RESOURCE PORTAL

Purpose

Support will be extended to an online resource portal as a hub for human rights substantial and methodological materials (including text, video, audio, MOOCs) on various aspects of human rights and the rule of law for targeted audiences (lawyers, law students, schoolteachers, journalists and other professional groups, NGOs, human rights trainers). Materials provided by the Council of Europe for the online portal will be created specifically or adapted to the Belarusian context, in English, with subsequent translation into Belarusian language subject of available resources.

The portal will provide access to human rights and rule of law resources for audiences both outside and within Belarus. The materials will be used by the target audiences in their activities, ensuring cohesion in the approaches taken by different organisations, strengthening linkages among them and with political actors.

Main partners

Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Belarusian Human Rights House, representatives of Belarusian democratic forces

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.1.4 “BRINGING THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS TO BELARUS”: ONLINE AWARENESS-RAISING AND (HELP) TRAINING ON THE ECHR AND OTHER COUNCIL OF EUROPE STANDARDS FOR BELARUSIAN (LAW) UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Purpose

Up to four half-day online awareness-raising and/or training sessions will be organised, presenting the Council of Europe HELP Programme and selected courses for Belarusian university students (on Council of Europe rule of law and human rights standards, including social rights). While the primary audience is law students, some topical HELP courses may interest other university students. As HELP courses are available online, they can be accessed by Belarusian students regardless of their location. If needed, additional follow-up sessions could be considered.

University (law) professors may also be interested in participating in these online sessions.

Main partners

Universities with Belarusian students, student associations

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.1.5 PROMOTION OF THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN BELARUS AMONG BELARUSIAN SOCIETY, INCLUDING DIASPORA (WEB MATERIALS, PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS)

Purpose

There is no common attitude toward the abolition of the death penalty in the Belarusian society, including the diaspora that now includes a large number of people who were forced to leave Belarus in the wake of the repressions of 2020-2021. The preparation of promotional materials targeting Belarusian citizens would help shaping a favourable opinion on abolition.

Materials will be distributed through NGOs and other initiatives and channels available both within the country and abroad. Offline awareness-raising events will be targeted specifically on diaspora.

Main partners

“Viasna” Human Rights Centre (including its campaign “Human Rights Defenders Against the Death Penalty in Belarus”), Belarusian Helsinki Committee, RADA and other representatives of Belarusian civil society and democratic forces.

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.1.6 SEMINAR “ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN BELARUS – NEXT STEPS”

Purpose

The purpose of the 1-day seminar is to brainstorm on the possible scenarios of the abolition in Belarus and the immediate steps to be taken by the democratic authorities once change happens (reform of criminal justice system, transitional provisions etc.). Participants would be the key actors for the abolition of the death penalty in Belarus, including political formations, as well as European NGOs who share good practices from across the globe, including representatives of youth-led organisations who continuously engage or launch actions in this field.

Main partners

“Viasna” Human Rights Centre (including its campaign “Human Rights Defenders Against the Death Penalty in Belarus”), Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Together against the death penalty/ ECPM (France), International Commission on the abolition of the death penalty (Spain), RADA

Relevant MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.1.7 WORKSHOPS TO SUPPORT JOURNALISTS IN EXILE

Purpose

The workshops will allow the participants to outline the main lines of support they and their colleagues would request the Council of Europe and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) to provide. Meanwhile, it will be a venue for networking and planning joint professional work with European journalists who will also be invited to attend the workshop. Since most of the journalists in exile are currently stationed in various locations in Europe, it is worthwhile to discuss the idea of establishing a network of “media freedom clubs”, with the support of the EFJ, Council of Europe, International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), Reporters without Borders and other interested stakeholders.

A first workshop could take place in Strasbourg in the first quarter of 2023, possibly reaching out also to the Group of Friends on Media Freedom.

Main partners

European Federation of Journalists, Reporters without Borders, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Partners of the Safety of Journalists Platform, Belarusian Association of Journalists

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Purpose

An in-house (online) round table will explore this subject, discuss the situation of victims of repressions, and envisage possible work/ determine what kind of support could possibly be given. The starting point of this undertaking is the high number of political prisoners in Belarus, and the need to extend practical and tangible support to both current and former political prisoners, as well their families. While supporting current political prisoners presents serious difficulties, the needs of the former political prisoners can be addressed more readily. Currently, more than 250 people have been released after serving their unjust sentences. About half of them are already residing outside Belarus.

Main partners

“Viasna” Human Rights Centre, Representative on Social Issues of the United Transitional Cabinet, other initiatives working on the topic, Coordination Council

Leading MAE

Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI)

Activity

1.2.2 CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES TO REINFORCE AND DEVELOP LEGISLATION AND POLICIES RELATED TO GENDER EQUALITY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, IN LINE WITH COUNCIL OF EUROPE STANDARDS

Purpose

Activities in this sphere will aim at increasing knowledge and understanding by Belarusian democratic forces and civil society of international and Council of Europe standards on gender equality and countering violence against women, as well as at promoting women’s rights in general. In practice it should stimulate democratic forces to adopt gender equality and non-discrimination policies within their structures as well as gender mainstreaming and women’s rights as priority topics to message them to the Belarusian society.

Activities can include peer-to-peer sessions on developing gender-informed policymaking and capacity-building/training, as well as adapting relevant information to the Belarusian context and translating it into Belarusian, to make it available to a wider audience.

Main partners

Feminist Group of the Coordination Council Women/feminist and gender organisations/initiatives working in Belarus and in exile, Belarusian Helsinki Committee

Leading MAE

Directorate General of Democracy (DGII)

Purpose

Revision and updating of the concept of the legislation on non- discrimination, developed by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee in 2018, in accordance with the Council of Europe standards will provide for a systemic element for the future legislation reform. Non-discrimination provisions based on the unified terminology and standards of the Council of Europe would be incorporated throughout all future legislation.

Main partners

Belarusian Helsinki Committee

Leading MAE

Directorate General of Democracy (DGII)

Activity

2.1.1. STRENGTHENING POLITICAL DIALOGUE

Purpose

Ensuring the involvement of representatives of a plurality of democratic forces from Belarus in relevant activities of Assembly Committees (paragraph 18.3 of Assembly Resolution 2433 (2022)).

Intensifying the Assembly’s engagement with Belarusian civil society, human rights defenders, independent journalists, and academia (paragraph 18.2 of Assembly Resolution 2433 (2022)).

Enhancing the political outreach of Belarusian democratic political forces and civil society while raising greater awareness of the situation in Belarus amongst members of national parliaments.

Main partners

Belarusian democratic political forces and civil society

Leading MAE

Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Activity

2.2.1. CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

LEADING THE CHANGE FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Purpose

The workshops will promote democratic values in line with the principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and its Additional Protocol on the right to participate in the affairs of the local authority. The focus will be placed on the key role of local authorities in upholding and promoting human rights at local level.

The programme of workshops will focus on specific themes such as the roles and responsibilities of local leaders, communication with citizens and civil society, the promotion of local values and social capital, and effective and ethical strategic decision-making.

Main partners

European and national associations of local and regional authorities, Belarusian Helsinki Committee

Leading MAE

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities

Activity

2.3.1 ROUND TABLE AND CONSULTATIONS ON GOOD DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Purpose

The activity will be aimed at promoting the Council of Europe standards and tools in the area of good democratic governance and providing Council of Europe expertise in the fields of decentralisation, local government, and public administration reforms.

It will aim at identifying the main needs in terms of reforms, presenting the relevant Council of Europe legal and capacity-building tools. Further emphasising the importance of the involvement of youth in such activities and following the co-management approach developed by the Council of Europe, young activists will be invited to participate in discussions.

Main partners

Belarusian civil society, Members of the European Committee on Democracy and Governance (CDDG)

Leading MAE

Directorate General of Democracy (DGII)

Activity

2.4.1. SUPPORT TO BELARUS CIVIL SOCIETY SHADOW REPORTING

Purpose

The aim of the activity is to raise awareness of the Belarusian civil society of Council of Europe standards and monitoring mechanisms, to create contacts with practitioners, and to develop support for training, training of trainers and feedback on shadow reporting notably with respect to Council of Europe human rights standards, instruments, and monitoring mechanisms.

Main partners

RADA, Belarusian Helsinki Committee, “Viasna” Human Rights Centre

Leading MAE

Directorate General of Democracy (DGII)

Activity

2.5.1. CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES ON ADVOCACY AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION FOR YOUTH

Purpose

Seminars for Belarusian youth organisations in exile on advocacy practices and democratic youth participation (based on Council of Europe’s expertise), follow-up networking meetings, as well as internships in the relevant bodies of the Organisation will be organised.

A conference on democracy and human rights in times of crisis will develop recommendations to policymakers and discuss ways in which Belarusian youth organisations can co-operate with the Council of Europe and relevant European institutions in the future.  Recommendations would be submitted for the attention of relevant Council of Europe bodies, including the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly.

Activities will be held at the European Youth Centres in Strasbourg and Budapest (also giving participants the opportunity to meet with different Council of Europe entities). They will cover capacity-building for young activists, as well as involvement of youth in decision-making processes based on the expertise of the Advisory Council on Youth within the Council of Europe and the European Youth Forum.

Main partners

RADA, the Democratic national youth council of Belarus (many of its members in exile), the European Youth Forum

Leading MAE

Directorate General of Democracy (DGII)