HRC58 - NB8 statement - Oral update of OHCHR on the situation of human rights in Belarus

Human Rights Council – 48th session

Interactive Dialogue on the interim oral update of OHCHR on the situation of human rights in Belarus

Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries

24 September 2021

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and my own country Lithuania.

We welcome the update and express our strong support for the mandate.

No issue touched in the report should be left without proper attention as human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate. Repressions against civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, and media actors are widespread.

We condemn systematic violations of human rights in Belarus, including arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence and torture and other ill-treatment of members of civil society.

As Lukashenko regime is trying to silence the voices of those suffering, we call for accountability, immediate cessation of all repressions and release of all political prisoners.

We strongly condemn the Lukashenko regime's efforts to instrumentalize irregular third-country migrants in an attempt to destabilize EU Member States, thus putting migrants in a vulnerable situation on the territory of Belarus.

International solidarity with the people of Belarus is more important than ever, as violations of human rights escalate.