EU to tackle corrupt Belarus

THE EU is increasing its support for ordinary citizens in Belarus in an effort to counter what it says is the country’s collapse into dictatorship.

About €12 million has been voted by the EU for a range of programmes to encourage democracy in the country bordering Russia and three EU states - Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.

The EU’s European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights will spend the money on working with civil society and Non-Government Organisations, on educational efforts and getting the message of democracy across in the media such as on radio.