The UN assures that Belarus is “immersed in fear” while human rights violations persist

June 30. () –

The United Nations has assured this Wednesday that Belarus is “immersed in fear” while systematic violations of Human Rights persist.

The UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Anais Marín, presenting an annual report to the UN Human Rights Council, explained that in Belarus a policy of systematic tightening of legislation restricts civil rights and politicians by the authorities.

Likewise, Marín has highlighted that the constitutional referendum held in the country on February 27 lacked transparency and openness, and that the vote had been marred by serious violations and could not be considered free and fair.

“The reform initiated through this referendum is equivalent to reinforcing and systematizing the obstacles to Human Rights on the part of Belarusian citizens,” Marin said.

Similarly, it has indicated that the Penal Code has been amended to further restrict the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association and expression. “I am seriously concerned about the arbitrary application of legislation that is already restrictive,” she said.

In addition, he has denounced that contrary to the constitutional provision on the application of the death penalty “as an exceptional punishment for especially serious crimes”, the amendments to the Penal Code had broadened the scope of the death penalty to include “planning” or ” attempt” to commit terrorist acts.

“The shrinking of civic space has experienced an unprecedented acceleration as a result of a systematic and deliberate policy to eradicate any real or perceived challenge to the incumbent government,” added Marin.

Thus, it has called on the international community to provide support and effective protection of Human Rights to Belarusian citizens who are forced to leave their country due to repression and intimidation by the State.

“The systematic violations of Human Rights and the impunity for these crimes have plunged Belarus into a climate of arbitrariness and fear,” he stressed.

On the other hand, he has urged the Belarusian authorities to put an “immediate” end to the systematic violations of Human Rights and has requested that prompt and independent investigations be carried out to provide Justice and resources to the victims and to make the perpetrators of the abuses be accountable.

“While the world’s attention is focused on many crisis situations around the world, the situation of Human Rights in Belarus should not be relegated to the background,” Marin concluded.