By a decision of the KGB dated February 27, 2026, Belarusian PEN has been recognized as an “extremist formation.” Today the relevant entry was added to the list maintained by the Interior Ministry.
The decision mentions the names of Tatstsiana Niadbai and Alena Talkachova (referring to lawyer and human rights defender Alena Tankachova, who in fact has not worked at Belarusian PEN for a long time. — Reform.news). The list also includes the organization’s social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube, as well as its website.
Belarusian PEN was founded in 1989 and is one of the oldest Belarusian human rights organizations advocating for freedom of expression, combating manifestations of hatred, and drawing global attention to human rights violations in Belarus, including cultural rights.
Among the founders of the association are Vasil Bykau, Sviatlana Aleksievich, Ryhor Baradulin, Karlos Sharman, Adam Maldzis, and Vasil Siomukha, as well as other prominent figures of Belarusian literature. Through these founders, the organization’s activities were built on value-based principles — freedom of speech and the protection of rights.
Belarusian PEN unites People of the Word, advocates for the rights of imprisoned People of the Word, and maintains a list of literature recognized as extremist materials. People of the Word are Belarusian writers, translators and literary scholars, publicists, intellectuals, and those who create and disseminate culture and defend the word and its masters.
Both Belarusian Nobel laureates — Sviatlana Aleksievich and human rights defender Ales Bialiatski — are members of Belarusian PEN.
Belarusian authorities use extremism charges to fight their opponents and dissent in general.