The European Union condemned the designation as “extremist materials” of websites and social media pages belonging to the EuvsDisinfo project, the SALT and Education for Belarusians programs, as well as Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).
The decision by the Belarusian authorities is another example of the regime’s systematic efforts to suppress critical thinking, restrict fundamental freedoms and shrink civic space, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service said in a statement.
“This unjustified decision seeks to restrict Belarusians’ access to independent information and educational opportunities. EUvsDisinfo works to raise awareness of disinformation and information manipulation, while the SALT and “Education for Belarusians” programmes have enabled Belarusian students and researchers to study and advance their work in Europe. These initiatives reflect the EU’s commitment to supporting the Belarusian people and maintaining people-to-people contacts,” the statement said.
The EU calls on the Belarusian authorities to reverse the decision to designate these resources as “extremist” and immediately end the repression against the Belarusian people.
“The EU will continue to stand with the Belarusian people and support their right to unbiased information and opportunities for them to study, learn and work in an environment of academic freedom,” the statement said.
