The second meeting of the Consultative Group between the European Union and the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society took place on 12 December in Brussels.



The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange information on the current situation in Belarus, especially in view of the sharply deteriorating human rights situation on the ground and intensified persecution of dissent. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice for those suffering from oppression, and accountability for those responsible for it. Both sides called for an immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.



The challenges faced by the Belarusians living in exile, especially those related to Lukashenko’s decree on limiting consular services, were also discussed in the meeting. The decree represents yet another form of oppression and total disrespect of Belarusian citizens’ fundamental rights.



The EU and Belarusian representatives condemned the regime’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and instrumentalization of migration on the EU’s external borders.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss in detail how to best continue supporting the people of Belarus, including the civil society.

Since the fraudulent elections of August 2020, the EU has committed almost €140 million in support of the Belarusian people, including human rights organisations, civil society, independent media, cultural institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises. The EU remains ready to activate a €3 billion comprehensive plan in support of a democratic Belarus, once Belarus embarks on a path to democratic transition.



The second meeting of the Consultative Group was chaired by EEAS Managing Director Mr. Michael Siebert and the leader of Belarus’s democratic forces Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with the participation of representatives of various Belarusian civil society organisations in exile.