The UN Human Rights Council on Friday adopted a resolution, calling upon the Belarusian authorities to enter into a dialogue with the political opposition.

The resolution expressed serious concern regarding the human rights violations committed in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath, including numerous acts of torture; enforced disappearance; abduction and arbitrary expulsion. As well as, arbitrary detention; sexual and gender-based violence; arbitrary deprivation of life; attacks against and harassment, intimidation, and detention of members of the political opposition; denial of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly; and denial of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

The resolution urges the Belarusian authorities to fulfill their obligations under article 25 (b) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to implement previous recommendations of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on holding credible elections that meet international standard.

The Council will meet again on Monday, 21 September, to hold an interactive dialogue with the Working Group on arbitrary detention.