dw.com
International Humanitarian Fund for Belarus: €2.4 Million in Aid, Scandals Emerge
The International Humanitarian Fund, launched in 2024 with €1.3 million and grown to €2.4 million from Norway (€835,000), Denmark (€669,000), Sweden (€449,000), and other European countries, aids Belarusian political prisoners and their families via organizations like By_Help and BYSOL, facing recent challenges due to scandals.
- How are funds distributed within the International Humanitarian Fund, and what are the priorities?
- The fund, initiated by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's office, operates without its own legal entity; the Norwegian Helsinki Committee manages funds and distributes them to organizations like By_Help, BYSOL, and others. The distribution prioritizes those affected inside Belarus, with almost €1.2 million already disbursed among several organizations. The remaining €1.2 million remains unspent.
- What is the total funding received by the International Humanitarian Fund, and which countries contributed the most?
- The International Humanitarian Fund, launched in 2024, has received €2.4 million from various European countries to aid victims of Belarusian repression. Norway contributed the most (€835,000), followed by Denmark (€669,000), and Sweden (€449,000). The fund distributes these funds to organizations directly supporting victims within Belarus.
- How have recent scandals involving recipient organizations, such as By_Help and BYSOL, affected the fund's operations and future plans?
- Scandals involving recipient organizations By_Help and BYSOL have impacted the fund. By_Help's withdrawal due to documented issues, and BYSOL's internal investigation into its founder's misconduct, highlight challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability within the fund's operations. The fund aims to improve its transparency with a planned website launch in September 2025.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced account, detailing both the positive aspects of the fund (its establishment, funding, and aid distribution) and the negative aspects (scandals involving recipient organizations). While it highlights the scandals, it also presents the fund's responses and efforts to maintain operations. The headline focuses on the fund's creation and subsequent challenges, which is a neutral framing.
Language Bias
The language used in the article is largely neutral and objective. The article uses words like "scandal" to describe negative events, but uses this language factually and avoids inflammatory or emotional language.
Bias by Omission
The article mentions that two organizations' names are not disclosed, which could be considered bias by omission as it prevents a full understanding of the fund's composition. Additionally, details about the fund's internal processes and the composition of its supervisory board are initially withheld, then partially revealed with caveats about ongoing processes and confidentiality concerns. This lack of complete transparency could limit informed conclusions about the fund's governance and accountability.
Sustainable Development Goals
The International Humanitarian Fund directly supports victims of repression in Belarus, contributing to justice and accountability. The fund's actions align with SDG 16 by providing aid to political prisoners and their families, thereby promoting peace and justice. The involvement of various human rights organizations further strengthens the collaborative effort towards achieving these goals.