The capital of Belarus is Minsk, Victory Square. Independent expert on Belarus presented his report to the UN General Assembly Human rights
Nils Muižnieks, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, expressed concern about the situation of workers’ rights in the country when speaking at the UN General Assembly today.
“Despite the fact that the authorities proclaim their commitment to economic and social rights, Belarus is not the paradise for workers that they talk about,” said Muižnieks.
In his report, he noted “widespread discrimination and persecution on political grounds” in both the public and private sectors. It also found “unjustified and politically motivated restrictions on access to professions, as well as the practice of punishing unjustly imprisoned individuals through hard, dangerous forced labor for little or no pay.” In addition, the Special Rapporteur expressed concern about the erosion of trade union rights and detailed violations of workers’ rights. trade unions.
Muiznieks called on member states “not to be deceived” in connection with the recent releases of political prisoners. He recalled that more than 1,100 people remain arbitrarily imprisoned in Belarus, and some of those released have been deported and stripped of their passports, facing, according to the expert, the risk of statelessness and the fear of being returned to Belarus.
Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. It is included in the special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN employees and do not receive a salary for their work. They act in their personal capacity and are not dependent on any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the UN.