Building the Resilience of Civil Society in Exile
Global
Facing threats of violence, harassment, detention, and arrest, many activists from countries including Belarus and Nicaragua have been forced into exile. ICNL helps these democratic exiles navigate the legal frameworks in their countries of refuge so they can continue to promote democratic reforms at home.
Since the government’s brutal crackdown following the 2020 presidential elections, an estimated 300,000 Belarusians, including a vibrant activist community, have sought refuge in Poland. There, many Belarusian expatriates receive essential support from ICNL’s partner, the Belarusian Solidarity Center (BSC). In just six months in 2024, BSC provided more than 3,000 consultations to activists on a variety of legal matters. Among those helped was a democratic exile who settled in Poland in 2024 after being driven from both Belarus and Georgia. With BSC’s help, she was able to register a Polish foundation to continue her work promoting women’s and human rights in Belarus.
Across the Atlantic, the increasingly repressive environment in Nicaragua has similarly forced numerous activists to flee the country, with many settling in Costa Rica. Although Costa Rica has one of the most supportive environments for civil society in the region, exiled Nicaraguans who register local organizations must still navigate an array of legal obligations. ICNL has provided training and developed resources to help them navigate compliance requirements and minimize the risk of sanctions.
Through this type of assistance, ICNL strengthens the resilience of displaced activists, enabling them to continue their important work.
