UN suspects crimes against humanity in Belarus
The UN suspects the Belarusian authorities of crimes against humanity. We are talking about the death of people as a result of the use of violence, as well as torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners, says the UN report on the situation in Belarus, published on Friday, March 17, in Geneva. At the same time, the report notes that the campaign of violence is primarily directed against critics of the ruling regime.
The document records alleged crimes committed in Belarus from May 2020 to December 2022, when the human rights situation in this country deteriorated further, said the representative of the world organization Liz Trossel. According to her, today there are almost 1,500 political prisoners in Belarus, and until February of this year, almost 800 non-profit organizations were closed there.
Complete destruction of civil society in Belarus
UN Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has criticized impunity and the near destruction of civil society and fundamental freedoms in Belarus. “The government of Belarus owes its people an end to mass oppression and an objective and transparent investigation to bring those responsible for egregious violations to justice,” Turk stressed.
In preparing the report, UN human rights activists interviewed 207 victims and witnesses and examined more than 2,500 photographs, videos, medical and court documents. The report documents violence against protesters, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence and trials without adequate protection.
Belarusian authorities are maliciously using the justice system to prosecute journalists, bloggers, human rights activists, trade union activists and lawyers, emphasizes the UN report.
Source: DW
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