revealing the destructive force of repressive laws_
About project_
FLAW is a project focused on studying legislation that restricts human rights and is used as a tool for controlling and exerting pressure on societies around the world. We aim to explain how and why such laws emerge, and what lies behind them.
We begin with Belarus, where “anti-extremism” legislation and other regulatory acts have become the foundation for widespread repression. In due course, we will also cover other countries where the use of legislation as a tool of repression remains equally relevant.
Since 2020, repression in Belarus has taken on a systemic character thanks to the unprecedented use of so-called “anti-extremism” legislation. Any dissent is equated with “extremism” or “terrorism”, turning political persecution into a well-oiled mechanism. An entire “ecosystem” of repression has been created: special laws, criminal code articles, “extremist” lists, as well as amendments that allow for the deprivation of citizenship and the imposition of the death penalty based on politically motivated accusations.
Our services_
CyberBeaver — an initiative of digital enthusiasts that helps Belarusian civil society enhance its security through individual consultations via a Telegram chatbot, the publication of educational materials, trainings and webinars, as well as assistance in incident response and risk assessment.
LegalHub — LegalHub is an anonymous online service offering free legal consultations. The LegalHub platform brings together lawyers, attorneys, and human rights defenders from various fields who provide pro bono consultations to Belarusian citizens on the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, as well as certain aspects of foreign legislation.
Notifier — a service that automatically notifies users when they are added to extremist lists. If somebody is added to the extremist list, the system sends an alert immediately.
Useful resources_
A project by Human Constanta aimed at helping Belarusian NGOs and initiatives in the field of digital rights and personal data protection. Within the framework of the Laboratory, materials are published on important topics such as GDPR standards, risks of algorithms and AI, threats posed by deepfakes, and digital security for organizations working with the Belarusian diaspora.
_Resources for activists and journalists
_Digital Rights, online privacy, and protection
_Knowledge base on extremism
Universal rules suitable for most users. When following these recommendations, we suggest taking into account your individual needs and threat model.
Structured information on the legislative framework and law enforcement practices related to “extremist” articles in Belarus as of the end of 2024, compiled by a group of independent experts.
© FLAW, 2025