The capital of Belarus is Minsk, Victory Square. UN Committee: Torture is a “systematic practice” in Belarus Human rights
The use of torture is a systematic practice in Belarus. This is stated in the annual report of the UN Committee against Torture.
The report contains the results of a confidential investigation into the policies of the Belarusian authorities regarding detainees and prison inmates. The authors of the document came to the “irrefutable conclusion” that the use of torture is a systematic practice in Belarus.
The investigation began in September 2020, when two non-governmental organizations submitted a document to the Committee entitled “Statement on the need to investigate the systematic use of torture on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.”
In July 2021, the Committee confirmed that the information received was reliable and contained well-founded conclusions.
In 2022, members of the Committee exchanged letters and held a number of meetings with the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN. A confidential investigation was launched in July 2022. In 2023, an exchange of views took place between the Committee and the government of Belarus.
The conclusions of the Committee against Torture will be presented to the UN General Assembly.
The Committee against Torture is composed of ten independent experts who monitor the implementation by States Parties of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. All States Parties to the Convention are required to regularly submit reports to the Committee on the implementation of relevant rights.