The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe plans to strengthen support for repressed Belarusians

During the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and member of the Coordination Council's delegation to PACE, held a meeting with Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

During the meeting, Pavel Latushka expressed gratitude for the recent decision of the Congress Bureau to extend the participation of the Coordination Council's delegation in Congress sessions for another two years.

Pavel Latushka also noted that he highly values the Congress Bureau's initiative to prepare a special report entitled "The Role of Local and Regional Authorities in Supporting Belarusian Democratic Forces and Civil Society." This document will be of significant importance for expanding the capabilities of Belarusian civil society during the period of forced emigration.

In addition, Pavel Latushka thanked for the opportunity granted to members of the CC delegation in the Congress to participate in election observation missions in Council of Europe member states.

Mathieu Mori noted the active work of the CC delegation in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the fruitful cooperation between the CC delegation and the Congress, and congratulated them on their achievements as a result of their work in 2025–2026.

During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the special role and importance of local and regional authorities in supporting released Belarusian political prisoners and repressed Belarusians. The Secretary General stated that this issue is a focus of the Congress's attention and that work in this direction is planned to be intensified. As an example of successful engagement, Mathieu Mori cited the Tuscany region in Italy, where support programmes are in place and communication has been established with Belarusian democratic forces and the People's Embassy of Belarus in Italy.

Pavel Latushka separately drew attention to the problem of elderly Belarusians who were forced to leave the country being unable to receive their pensions on the territory of European states. One of the proposed solutions put forward by Pavel Latushka was the introduction of social support programmes implemented by local authorities.

The meeting also addressed the issue of transnational repression carried out by the Lukashenko regime. The parties discussed how local authorities can assist Belarusians facing persecution, specifically in matters of legalisation and social affairs at the municipal level (provision of housing, assistance to those in need, etc.).

Mathieu Mori noted that the Congress can also provide concrete support through contacts with local authorities. The CC delegation in the Congress may forward citizens' appeals to the Congress in order to facilitate the resolution of their problems.

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