The Parliamentary Assembly, in its Resolution 2123 (2016) “Culture and democracy”, Resolution 2499 (2023) “Addressing the specific challenges faced by the Belarusians in exile”, and Resolution 2558 (2024) “Countering the erasure of cultural identity in war and peace”, stressed that culture can play a fundamental role in creating a democratic Belarus and can significantly contribute to this process.
Culture is a pillar of democratic resilience, as its dynamism is the backbone of democratic security. Arts and culture promote pluralism, critical thinking, and public reflection, thereby strengthening resistance to authoritarianism. Therefore, artistic freedom, cultural rights, and citizens’ participation in cultural life are central to protecting and promoting democracy. Today, the Lukashenka regime endangers these principles through the erosion of the Belarusian language in education, the liquidation of independent cultural institutions and organisations, the criminalisation of cultural activity and expression, the militarisation and ideological control of the education system, the manipulation and centralisation of historical narratives, and the destruction, neglect, and reshaping of cultural heritage.
The democratic forces of Belarus play an active role in reviving the Belarusian language and culture as the foundation for a future democratic Belarus. The safeguarding and further development of Belarusian cultural identity will ultimately foster democratic resilience and contribute to regional security, supporting a strengthened European identity for Belarus.
Given its strong support for the Belarusian democratic forces, the Assembly has a significant role to play in proposing measures to help Council of Europe member States support the revival and renewal of Belarusian national identity and culture for Belarusians, both in exile and in Belarus itself.