The UN found evidence of crimes against humanity in Belarus. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated this in a new report on Friday. Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, is now calling on the government of Belarus to end its systematic repression of alleged government critics and immediately release all political prisoners.
The UN investigation combined data from 207 victims and witnesses and collected more than 2,500 photographs, videos, medical and court documents between May 2020 and December 2022. The report also focused on violence against thousands of peaceful protesters after the second attack. election of President Oleksandr Lukashenka in August 2020, and speaks of “unnecessary and disproportionate force” that resulted in “at least five deaths.”
The report highlights “widespread and systematic violations of international human rights law” and “sexual and gender-based violence, violations of the right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and denial of due process and equal protection of the law.” in country.
The incidents appear to be part of a wider campaign of violence against critics of the Belarusian government, the report concluded. Some violations may amount to crimes against humanity. At the same time, the legal system is abused to counter opposition from journalists, bloggers, human rights defenders, trade union activists or lawyers. At the end of last week, Lukashenko also signed a law introducing the death penalty for treason.
The government owes its citizens to stop these mass repressions and conduct an impartial and transparent investigation
Turk sharply criticizes impunity and neglect of human rights in Belarus. “The government owes it to its citizens to stop this massive repression and conduct an impartial and transparent investigation to ensure that those responsible for these serious violations are brought to justice,” he said.
Source : HLN
