Rada of the Belarusian Democratic Republic
Rada of the Belarusian People's Republic Рада Беларускай Народнай Рэспублікі Rada Bielaruskaj Narodnaj Respubliki | |
|---|---|
Coat of arms of the Belarusian Democratic Republic as used by the BNR Rada | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
President | Ivonka Survilla since 1997 |
| Meeting place | |
| Facilities of Belarusian diaspora in North America, Britain and other countries | |
| Website | |
| http://www.radabnr.org | |
The Rada of the Belarusian People's Republic (Belarusian: Рада Беларускае Народнае Рэспублікі, romanized: Rada Biełaruskaje Narodnaje Respubliki, Рада БНР, Rada BNR) was the main representative body of the Belarusian People's Republic (BPR), centered in Minsk. It was established in March 1918, when the Rada of the All-Belarusian Congress (Belarusian: Рада Усебеларускага з’езда) was expanded and transformed into the temporary legislative body of the newly proclaimed BPR. Already on 25 March, the Rada adopted the Third Constituent Charter, proclaiming independence of BPR, and also appealing for international recognition. Since those events occurred during the early stages of German occupation of Belarus, that lasted from February to December 1918, the scope of Rada's authority was limited. During the Soviet westward offensive at the end of 1918, the Rada was moved from Minsk to Grodno.
Since 1919, the Rada of BNR has been in exile where it has preserved its existence among the Belarusian diaspora, as an advocacy group promoting support to Belarusian independence and democracy in Belarus among Western policymakers. As of 2025, the Rada BNR is the oldest existing government in exile.