Lithuania lodges protest over Minsk’s designation of EHU as "extremist organisation"

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has issued a formal protest against Belarus following a decision to designate the Vilnius-based European Humanities University (EHU) as an extremist organisation.

In a statement released on April 16, the ministry described the move as “unprecedented”, noting that a higher education institution legally operating in another country had been labelled extremist, Caliber.Az reports via Lithuanian media.

Vilnius condemned the decision as politically motivated, unfounded and in breach of international law, as well as an infringement on Lithuania’s sovereignty.

The ministry reiterated its continued support for EHU, describing it as an important centre for academic freedom, critical thinking and politically independent education.

Officials warned that the Belarusian authorities’ decision poses a direct threat to EHU students — many of whom are Belarusian — and to the wider academic community. The ministry said it effectively criminalises international academic cooperation and undermines Belarus’s progressive society, democratic opposition and long-term development.

Lithuania does not recognise any legal effect of the ruling within its territory and has demanded that Minsk immediately revoke the designation. It also cautioned that the move would further strain bilateral relations and could prompt additional political and diplomatic measures at both national and European Union levels.

The decision has been condemned by the European Union, as well as the foreign ministries of Sweden and Finland, alongside Lithuania’s education authorities.

Founded in Minsk in 1992, EHU was forced to cease operations in Belarus in 2004 for political reasons. With support from the Lithuanian government, the European Commission, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the United States and several European countries, the university resumed its activities in Vilnius. It was granted authorisation to operate in Lithuania in 2006.

Belarus’s Supreme Court designated EHU an extremist organisation on 14 April, alleging the university had been working to destabilise the country’s social and political situation and was being used by foreign intelligence services to undermine Belarusian interests in political, humanitarian and information spheres.