The International Union of Belarusian Writers association continues to monitor the state of the Belarusian language in Belarus and has compiled cases of discrimination against the language and its speakers in a review covering the first half of 2026.
The documented cases point to the continuation of a systematic state policy that is further narrowing the use of the Belarusian language and strengthening the dominant position of Russian.
A particularly alarming trend in the first half of 2026 was the growing repressive component of state policy toward the Belarusian language and culture. Information Minister Marat Markau effectively equated public statements about discrimination against the Belarusian language with activities “not in the interests of the state” and manifestations of “extremist ideas.” At the same time, representatives of Belarusian book publishing and distribution continue to face persecution, while publishing houses, book projects and Belarusian-language publications are being targeted under anti-extremism legislation.
The review focuses on several key areas where systemic discrimination against the Belarusian language and its displacement from public life are most evident.
- Public administration and public space. Russian retains its dominant position in official paperwork, the activities of government bodies and public infrastructure. Despite its status as a state language, Belarusian in many cases remains effectively optional for government institutions and organizations.
- Education. The shrinking of Belarusian-language education is accompanied by the strengthening of the dominant role of Russian. The review documents both individual cases of pressure to switch from Belarusian to Russian in the educational process and broader indicators showing a significant imbalance between the two state languages.
- Places of detention. The Belarusian language serves as an additional pretext for pressure and degrading treatment. Testimonies have been documented of demands to switch to Russian, as well as insults and disciplinary penalties related to the use of Belarusian.
- Book publishing and distribution of Belarusian literature. In the first half of 2026, pressure increased significantly on the independent book infrastructure that plays a key role in creating and distributing Belarusian-language literature. Representatives of the publishing and book distribution sector were subjected to mass searches and detentions; publishing and book initiatives were designated as “extremist formations,” while books, websites and pages of book projects were declared “extremist materials.” These measures further restrict opportunities to publish, distribute and access literature in the Belarusian language.
- Public stigmatization of the language issue. Of particular concern is the emergence in official rhetoric of a link between statements about violations of language rights and “extremist ideas.” Such rhetoric not only denies the very problem of the unequal status of the Belarusian language, but also creates additional risks for public discussion of language discrimination and the defense of language rights.
Read the full review.