Protest in Minsk in August 2020. OHCHR report: “a campaign of violence and repression” continues in Belarus Human Rights
In 2023, thousands of Belarusian citizens were subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions for exercising freedom of expression and assembly. This was stated by Christian Salazar Volkman, Director of the Division of Field Operations and Technical Cooperation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), speaking at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday.
Most of those detained, he said, were prosecuted and convicted in trials that were not objective or fair. Lawyers were subject to pressure, arrest and, in some cases, ill-treatment or torture, and were often deprived of their lawyer’s licenses.
Arrests continue
Arrests of “real or alleged” opponents of the Belarusian authorities continued in 2024. “For example, on January 23 and 24, more than 200 Belarusians, most of whom were women and family members of prisoners held on politically motivated charges,” said Christian Salazar Volkman, “were arrested and interrogated, and many of them were charged and convicted of about extremism for allegedly helping to provide food for political prisoners.”
Threats and torture
Since 2020, he continued, thousands of Belarusians have been subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in prisons throughout Belarus. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented incidents in which torture resulted in severe injury. In some cases, sexual and gender-based violence occurred; those arrested were threatened with rape and death.
“OHCHR is alarmed by the possible forced disappearance of several prominent opposition figures serving sentences for political reasons,” said Christian Salazar Volkman. “I urge the authorities to provide information about their fate and whereabouts so they can meet with their lawyers and families.”
Mass emigration
“A campaign of violence and repression,” according to an OHCHR representative, prompted Belarusians to force themselves into exile: Since May 2020, about 300 thousand people have left the country. Legislative amendments that came into force in July 2023 have OHCHR concerned that the Belarusian authorities may deprive some people of their citizenship. The government has also taken steps to restrict the rights of those in exile, including by preventing the issuance and renewal of passports and other official documents abroad.
It is currently unsafe for those in exile to return to Belarus, so I recommend that UN member states facilitate the international protection of Belarusian refugees
In 2023, at least 207 people were reportedly arrested upon returning to Belarus; such arrests continued into 2024.
“It is currently unsafe for those in exile to return to Belarus, so I recommend that UN member states facilitate the international protection of Belarusian refugees,” said Christian Salazar Volkman.
Legislative and forceful pressure on the opposition
Not a single opposition party, according to the OHCHR representative, could register to participate in the parliamentary elections that took place in Belarus on February 25, 2024. Christian Salazar Volkman also expressed concern about the adoption of two legislative amendments that expand the situations in which Belarusian security forces are allowed to use force, and called on the authorities to ensure compliance with international standards.
“OHCHR urges the Government of Belarus to immediately release all persons arbitrarily detained and convicted for political reasons and to cease all other human rights violations, including systematic repression against civil society, independent media and opposition groups,” concluded the OHCHR representative.