Published on: 2026-07-02
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 1, 2026 Human Rights
A group of independent UN experts expressed serious concern regarding a draft regulatory act in Belarus, which provides for the creation of a mandatory state register of tutors and other individuals engaged in independent professional activities in educating children, and also introduces a ban on individuals convicted under the so-called “extremist” articles from providing various types of professional educational services to children.
In their statement, the experts emphasized that the new measures may lead to further stigmatization of people held accountable under the broadly interpreted Belarusian legislation on countering extremism, including those whose activities fall under the protection of international human rights standards.
According to the draft resolution, tutors, music and visual arts teachers, speech therapists, and other specialists providing independent educational services to children will be required to register with the Ministry of Education before they can legally offer their services. The register will be publicly accessible, and the Ministry of Education will be able to request data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to check for any restrictions on applicants.
Experts warned that such a verification mechanism could institutionalize the practice of abusing anti-extremism legislation to restrict professional activities. They recalled that they had repeatedly drawn the Belarusian authorities’ attention to the fact that the vague and excessively broad definition of “extremism” does not comply with international legal standards. According to them, the public nature of the registry also raises concerns due to the potential interference with the right to privacy.
“When guilty verdicts are handed down in connection with the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, freedom of association, the right to participate in public life, civic activism, activities in journalism or culture, the imposition of broad restrictions on professional activities may constitute an unjustified punishment for exercising fundamental rights, if the proposed restrictions do not meet the requirements of necessity, proportionality, and are not based on objective criteria, but are motivated by political considerations,” experts noted.
They paid special attention to the possible gender impact of the new rules. According to them, excessive registration requirements and arbitrary restrictions may disproportionately affect women, for whom tutoring and other flexible forms of educational activity are often an important source of income while balancing work with family responsibilities.
The accompanying explanatory note to the project states one of its goals as “the protection of the spiritual and moral values of the Belarusian people.” Experts warned that such vague formulations can be used to justify discrimination, politically motivated bans, or ideological control over the educational sphere.
“Protecting children is a legitimate goal, but references to ‘moral values’ should not be used to restrict diversity of opinions, independent activity in the field of education, or the lawful exercise of fundamental rights,” they emphasized.
Independent UN experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not staff members of the Organization and do not receive a salary for their work. Experts act in a personal capacity and do not represent any government or organization.
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