- The UN reports severe human rights violations in Belarus under President Lukashenko’s rule.
- The violations include torture, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of political opposition.
- Some actions by the Belarusian government qualify as crimes against humanity.
- The UN experts gathered evidence from interviews and documents between 2020 and 2024.
- The report calls for the international community to hold Belarus accountable for the abuses.
A recent report by a UN expert group, released on Friday, highlights severe and widespread human rights violations in Belarus. These violations, according to the experts, some of which amount to crimes against humanity, were part of President Alexander Lukashenko’s efforts to suppress opposition and maintain control.
The UN expert group, created last year, specifically examined abuses by Belarusian authorities since 2020. The report documents a pattern of torture, arbitrary detentions, and politically motivated arrests used to silence critics of the government. The experts urge the international community to take immediate action to address these violations and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Torture and Political Persecution: A Routine Tactic
The report claims that one of the most disturbing findings was the ongoing political persecution of Belarusians. This includes the systemic use of torture against individuals who were either opposed to or critical of the Lukashenko government. Many detainees have reported being subjected to physical violence, including beatings, electric shocks, and threats of sexual assault.
UN experts, who conducted over 200 interviews with victims, witnesses, and exiled individuals, gathered substantial evidence of human rights violations. The torture was reportedly inflicted at various stages of detention, often with the intent to break down political resistance. Women and men alike were subjected to the cruelest forms of abuse. The report stressed the brutality, particularly against LGBTIQ+ individuals, who faced both physical violence and dehumanizing treatment.
Brutal Crackdown on Belarusian Dissent
In August 2020, Belarus witnessed historic protests after an election many saw as fraudulent. President Lukashenko claimed victory, securing a sixth term, but millions of Belarusians, along with the opposition, rejected the result. What followed was a violent response from the government, with security forces cracking down on the protests.
UN experts stated that these protests marked the start of a larger effort to silence opposition. Belarusian authorities imposed harsh measures to stifle dissent. Political prisoners were detained, often illegally, and faced cruel treatment. The experts’ report highlights how officials sought to destroy civil society by using arbitrary detentions and illegal surveillance to silence critics.
After the protests, the government ramped up its digital surveillance efforts. It tracked online activities, identifying dissenters and protest participants. The regime also targeted civil society organizations, “liquidating” at least 228 of them by 2023, effectively erasing major sources of opposition.
The UN report revealed that digital surveillance was not just for monitoring. It also helped arrest and prosecute individuals critical of the government. This further pushed dissenters into the margins, while silencing many voices in the country. Conditions in detention centers worsened, with political prisoners facing torture and harsh treatment.
Urgent Call for Justice in Belarus
UN experts have called for immediate action against the Belarusian government for its ongoing abuses. They stressed the need for independent investigations into these human rights violations, especially those that qualify as crimes against humanity. The experts urged the international community to ensure those responsible face justice.
The experts also highlighted that international legal tools, like universal jurisdiction, could be crucial for achieving justice. They pointed out that Belarusian authorities may try to hide the truth, but global support is essential to hold them accountable.
The situation in Belarus is dire. The government continues its crackdown on political opposition and represses its people. Human rights violations persist, and the international community must act now to protect the victims and ensure accountability for these abuses.