US aid cutoff poses new challenges to rights groups in Russia and Belarus
US aid cutoff poses new challenges to rights groups in Russia and Belarus
Rights groups, activists and independent media in Russia and Belarus endured increased government scrutiny, repressive laws and even were shut down and forced to operate from exile abroad
Author: Unknown
Published on: 07/02/2025 | 05:23:13
AI Summary:
Rights groups, activists and independent media in Russia and Belarus endured increased government scrutiny. Many survived despite the difficulties. Some face a new challenge: the freeze for 90 days the aid provided by Washington. Center-T, whose core staff moved abroad after the Russian Supreme Court designated what it called the LGBTQ+ “movement” as extremist, effectively outlawing all LGBTQ+ activism, also lost only a fraction of funding. Kovcheg — Russian for “arc” — a group helping Russians fleeing abroad with shelter, legal and psychological support, training and other support, lost 30% of its budget after Trump’s action. Russian philanthropist Boris Zimin offered $600,000 to affected Russian and Ukrainian projects. It's not clear how much U.S. Aid Russian organizations were receiving and how much could be offset by Khodorkovsky's and Zimin's funding. Belarus and Russia “will likely fill the void” without Western-supported independent media and pro-democracy forces. The activist spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. According to the opposition's report, $1.7 million in U.S. Aid is frozen. 60-80 groups face possible mass layoffs, ending programs or closing for good. There are over 1,200 political prisoners in Belarus. The freeze will “significantly impair” Viasna’s work, activist Pavel Sapelka says.
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