UN report says Belarus continues to commit human rights violations News
© WikiMedia Commons (Dennis Jarvis)
UN report says Belarus continues to commit human rights violations

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Anaïs Marin, released a report Tuesday claiming that Belarus continues to commit human rights and fundamental freedom violations.

Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/20/13, passed during the Council’s 20th session in 2012, mandated the Special Rapporteur to monitor the situation in Belarus and assist the Belarusian government in improving the protection of human rights.

According to the Special Rapporteur, despite appearances to the contrary, Belarusian society faces ongoing challenges around the death penalty, discrimination against Romani people, and discrimination against the LGBTI community. She explained:

The violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms highlighted in my report may appear as less systematic, but they still have a systemic character,’ [the Special Rapporteur] said. In view of the cyclical nature of human rights violations in Belarus, [the Special Rapporteur] called on the Council to be more vigilant ahead of the forthcoming electoral cycle.

Belarus does not recognize the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. Therefore, the Special Rapporteur has not been able to visit the country and work with government officials.