Belarusian authorities step up dialogue with civil society to strengthen loyal NGOs

Last week, the Justice Ministry held a round table titled ‘The role and place of national associations in preserving and strengthening peace and accord in Belarus’ with participants representing more than 30 public associations. Apparently, by focusing on the work of associations dealing with national minorities, the Belarusian authorities aimed to demonstrate Belarus’ positive experience in integrating immigrants in Belarusian society. According to the Belarusian authorities, failed immigration policies in the EU member states is a sensitive issue and the EU could benefit from using the Belarusian approach in developing civil society. Despite statements by Belarusian officials about the rapid development of the third sector, independent observers insist on the absence of systemic positive change in the conditions for the civil society organisations’ activity. Nevertheless, the recent relaxation in political environment in Belarus has prompted the revival of the civic activity. According to independent analysts, the state stepped up the creation of state-controlled non-profit organizations, especially local ones and in the regions. This is probably due to the enhanced cooperation with the EU and EU grants opportunities to support civil society in Belarus. That said, the Belarusian authorities continue to avoid a domestic dialogue with the independent civil society organisations, which they regard as oppositional. Apparently, the Belarusian government aspires to minimize the influence of independent NGOs on the Belarusian-European agenda and seeks to replace them with loyal pubic organisations.