EU condemns Belarus' Supreme Court decision to label university as “extremist organisation"

The European Union has condemned the decision of the Supreme Court of Belarus to label the European Humanities University (EHU) as an “extremist organisation”. Lithuania, which has hosted the university since its exile in 2005, has also condemned the court decision.

"This ruling is a blatant and unjustified attack on academic freedom, freedom of expression and the fundamental right to education," the European Union External Action Service said on 15/04/2026. EHU was designated “extremist organisation” on 14/04, following a lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor General's Office.

The Office justified the ruling by saying that EHU was being used by the intelligence services of neighbouring countries to "harm the interests of Belarus" and "promote alternative interpretations" of historical and cultural events.

The Office also argued that the university's work aimed at "encroaching on the sovereignty of Belarus and the foundations of its constitutional order", highlighting that graduates and faculty members are involved in criminal cases (which include criticising the regime in the media).

"EHU…