Belarus: Violations remain ‘widespread and systematic’, says independent expert group
Published: 2025-02-14 12:00
GENEVA (14 February 2025) – Grave human rights violations continue to be “widespread and systematic” in Belarus, according to a new report by an independent group of experts commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council.
The report, which covers the period from August 2020 to September 2022, documents a range of violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment, and the suppression of freedom of expression and assembly.
The experts found that the Belarusian authorities have “failed to take meaningful steps to address the root causes of the crisis” that erupted in August 2020, when mass protests erupted against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
“The authorities have continued to use excessive force against peaceful protesters, arbitrarily detain and torture political opponents, and restrict freedom of expression and assembly,” the report says.
The experts also expressed concern about the “climate of impunity” that prevails in Belarus, with those responsible for human rights violations rarely being held accountable.
“The lack of accountability has created a culture of fear and silence, which has further emboldened the authorities to commit human rights violations,” the report says.
The experts called on the Belarusian authorities to take immediate steps to address the human rights crisis in the country, including:
- Releasing all political prisoners
- Ending the practice of arbitrary detention and torture
- Respecting freedom of expression and assembly
- Holding those responsible for human rights violations accountable
The experts also urged the international community to continue to support the Belarusian people and to hold the authorities accountable for their actions.
“The international community must not abandon the Belarusian people,” the report says. “We urge all states to continue to support the Belarusian people and to hold the authorities accountable for their actions.”
The report was commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council in October 2020. It was prepared by a group of independent experts, including:
- Anaïs Marin (France), Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus
- Nils Melzer (Switzerland), Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
- Irene Khan (Bangladesh), Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
The report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council at its 52nd session in March 2025.
Belarus: Violations remain ‘widespread and systematic’, says independent expert group
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