Examining Democratic Backsliding Through the Lens of Belarus: A Case Study of a University in Exile

The actions of an authoritarian regime, especially through control, standardization and coercion, directed at educational institutions in order to maintain its power, pose a serious challenge to the rule of law and, in particular, to the preservation of academic freedom, democratic values and the advancement of civil society. This article aims to analyse and understand how the Belarussian regime undermines the rule of law, specifically, in higher education, and explores the sustainability of these institutions in the face of such repression. The focus of this study is the European Humanities University – Belarusian university, which was forced into exile due to its promotion of democratic values, liberal arts education and protection of human rights. The forced closure and expulsion of the university from Belarus demonstrates the wider consequences of such repression, especially its impact on civil society and intellectual communities. Despite all the difficulties, the university continues to provide education that upholds international standards and meets the mission of the university.