On July 18, 2022, Belarus announced its decision to withdraw from the Aarhus Convention, citing biased and discriminatory treatment by the convention’s governing bodies and pressure on the sovereign state. This decision followed the liquidation of «Ecohome» and the imposition of restrictive measures on the country for non-compliance with the convention’s obligations. The withdrawal of Belarus elicited a negative reaction from the international community, particularly because the convention plays a key role in ensuring transparency in environmental policy and public participation. This decision by the authorities marks a step towards the country’s self-isolation from the international community and advanced practices in protecting environmental rights.
Ecohome prepared the report «Belarus and the Aarhus Convention,» which details Belarus’s journey from joining the Aarhus Convention to withdrawing from it. The document covers the historical context of the convention’s emergence, legislative adaptation, practical implementation, successes, and challenges in realizing environmental rights. It examines the reasons and consequences of Belarus’s withdrawal from the convention in 2022, including the political context and repression against environmental activists. The brochure also explores the prospects of Belarus rejoining the Aarhus Convention and the necessary steps for this.
The report «Belarus and the Aarhus Convention: from accession to withdrawal» can be accessed via the link.
The Russian version is available at the link.
