The PARE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons appointed a special rapporteur, Paul Galles

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"Such a report is a chance to investigate the real situation of Belarusians in exile, as well as to address recommendations to the member countries of the Council of Europe (including those that are not part of the European Union)," writes Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya's Telegram channel.

Over the course of several months, the speaker will hold consultations with Belarusian diasporas, organizations that help Belarusians abroad, as well as with the authorities of some countries where Belarusians live.

The results of the report with practical advice for countries will be discussed at PARE in October 2023.

According to PARE estimates, after August 2020, 200,000 to 500,000 people left Belarus.

Svetlana Tsikhanovskaya's adviser on legal issues, Kristina Richter, spoke at the committee meeting, where she outlined the range of problems faced by Belarusians who are forced to leave the country due to political persecution.

She noted the problems of legalization, integration into society, as well as the impossibility of seeking medical or psychological help.

Kristina Richter also raised the issues of recent changes in Belarusian legislation: deprivation of citizenship, criminal prosecution for expressing national identity, mass recognition of NGOs and mass media as extremist formations (now there are more than 120 organizations, mass media and initiatives on the list).

At the meeting of the committee, it was proposed to ease the procedure for obtaining visas and residence permits for Belarusians who faced political persecution.