FAQ

LIBERECO was founded in February 2009 by students in Bonn, many of whom were active members of Amnesty International at the time. The association was established in Switzerland in 2010. Since the early 2000s, personal connections have led to contacts with individuals involved in various aspects of Belarusian civil society. Together with our new colleagues, we have strengthened and expanded these connections considerably by cooperating with local partner organisations.

The word “Libereco” has its origin in the international auxiliary language Esperanto, which Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof developed and then introduced in 1887 as an easy and flexible language that would serve as a universal second language to foster peace and international understanding.

Libereco means freedom. Libereco stands for what we believe in and campaign for.

Human rights violations are a tool used by the Belarusian regime to maintain power. It is the only European country that still carries out the death penalty. Journalists cannot report freely, demonstrations are brutally suppressed and freedom of expression is rigorously persecuted, often resulting in prison sentences of several years.

While the situation in neighbouring Ukraine is better, human rights violations have also increased significantly there since the outbreak of war in 2014, particularly in areas under Russian control. This is why LIBERECO has been active there since spring 2014, establishing close partnerships with Ukrainian organisations by implementing humanitarian projects.

In collaboration with our Belarusian partner organisations, we gather information on human rights violations and launch projects, workshops and awareness campaigns. We protest against human rights violations and strive to improve the human rights situation through various means. This enables us to support victims of human rights violations and their families, and demonstrate our solidarity with them.

Since 2014, we have been implementing humanitarian aid projects and training multipliers with local partner organisations in Ukraine. Since 2022, we have gradually increased our efforts to protect the civilian population in Ukraine, providing long-term support to those affected by Russian aggression.

Thanks to our long-standing and fruitful collaboration with Ukrainian and Belarusian organisations, we have access to an extensive network of partners and can implement projects in a targeted and impactful manner. You can find a complete list of our partnerships here.

Although we have offices in Zurich and Berlin, thanks to our members from various countries, we are active throughout Europe. We communicate regularly via various channels and working groups. We also exchange ideas and promote teamwork in regular international online meetings.

Once a year, we also hold an on-site meeting to which all members are invited.

Since our foundation, we have been working with human rights organisations in Belarus, and with NGOs in Ukraine since 2014. ‘Partnership’ means that we collaborate as equals. Together, we develop projects and initiatives tailored to the current needs of both countries. You can find a complete list of our partnerships here.

Additionally, we collaborate with organisations and initiatives worldwide to develop and coordinate campaigns that mobilise people to take action against human rights violations.

The Cantonal Tax Office of Zurich has exempted LIBERECO from taxation in letter 15/10 261 dated 4 June 2015 on the grounds that it pursues charitable purposes.

All donations to LIBERECO are tax-deductible in Switzerland. Provided you have given us your postal or email address, you will automatically receive a donation receipt for tax purposes by the end of February for all donations made in the previous year.

If you have not received your donation receipt, or if you would like to receive it sooner, please email us at: schweiz@libereco.org.

As a non-profit organisation, LIBERECO meets all the criteria for the Zewo seal of approval. After extensive testing by Zewo, LIBERECO was awarded the certification on 5 December 2024. The seal certifies that LIBERECO uses donations for their intended purpose in an economical and effective manner.

To ensure ongoing compliance with Zewo’s standards, LIBERECO undergoes regular audits and monitoring by an independent body.

Donations and membership fees are the main sources of funding for LIBERECO. Your donation enables us to document and raise awareness of human rights violations, thereby increasing political pressure on those responsible. It also helps us support people in need in Belarus and Ukraine.
By becoming a member, you can actively support our work and contribute your own ideas. Further information on membership can be found here.

You can also attend our events and campaigns, come to our vigils, and join demonstrations, all without obligation. You can find an overview of our upcoming events here.

Anyone aged 16 or over who agrees with our goals and values is welcome to become a LIBERECO member. Those under 16 can also become members with the consent of a parent.

All members pay an annual membership fee and can participate in decisions about LIBERECO’s goals, activities, and future development at monthly member meetings. Every member is entitled to vote at the annual general meeting.

Additionally, members have the opportunity to get actively involved in LIBERECO, though active participation is not a prerequisite for membership.

LIBERECO is a non-religious and non-party organization. We are open to people of all religions and convictions.

LIBERECO vehemently opposes any racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic and anti-Semitic expressions, and strongly dissociates itself from all organisations which give voice to any such opinions.