Minority Language Education in Belarus : A Story of Silenced Voices and Destroyed Achievements

This article examines the elimination of minority language education in Belarus following the 2022 Education Code revision, which effectively erased programs previously available in Lithuanian and Polish in a small number of schools. While nominally permitting minority language study, the new code, implemented under the Lukashenka administration, restricts instruction to language and culture classes contingent upon formal student requests and official approvals. Given Belarus’ position outside the Council of Europe and the resulting lack of influence from legally binding minority rights instruments, this article explores the relevant legal framework, the Lukashenka administration’s political reasoning and communication tactics, and reactions from neighboring kin-states within Brubaker’s triadic nexus. It reveals how broad discretionary power undermines minority language rights, silences minority voices, and dismantles prior educational achievements within this complex political and legal landscape.