Lithuania strongly protests Belarus’s decision to designate EHU as an “extremist organization”Bilateral RelationsNews of the MinistrySpeeches, Statements

On 15 April, the Republic of Lithuania lodged a strong protest with the Republic of Belarus regarding the decision by its authorities to designate the European Humanities University (EHU), which has operated legally in Lithuania since 2004, as an "extremist organization." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs views this decision as politically motivated, unfounded, and in violation of the principles of international law and the sovereignty of the Republic of Lithuania. This is an unprecedented case in which a higher education institution operating legally in another country has been declared an "extremist organization."

Lithuania has consistently supported and will continue to support EHU as an important hub of academic freedom, critical thinking, and democratic values, and as a space for politically independent studies. The Ministry emphasizes that this decision by the Belarusian authorities poses a direct threat to all EHU students, who are not only from Belarus but also to the academic community, and also criminalizes international academic cooperation and causes significant harm to Belarus's progressive society, the democratic opposition, and the future of the entire country.

Lithuania does not recognize any legal effect of this decision on its territory, demands its immediate revocation, and warns that such actions will further complicate Lithuanian-Belarusian relations and will be assessed at the national and European Union levels with a view to further political and diplomatic measures.