NB8 statement at ID with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus

UNGA79 3rd Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus

Statement delivered by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States

29 October 2024, New York

Mr. Chair,

I deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

As your tenure is ending, we sincerely thank you for your tireless efforts in fulfilling your mandate and extensive support to the Belarusian civil society.

The Nordic-Baltic states remain deeply concerned about further deterioration of human rights situation and a chronic failure of Belarus to engage with international human rights bodies and mechanisms.

Lack of accountability for grave human rights violations, such as torture, arbitrary deprivations of liberty, persecution, and enforced disappearances have reached an unprecedented level. As reported, some of the violations may amount to crimes against humanity.

We strongly condemn torture and other ill-treatment of political prisoners and call for their immediate and unconditional release, and effective rehabilitation.

We also deplore Belarus’ continued support to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, including its complicity in the forced and unlawful deportation, re-education, indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children, and call for their immediate and safe return to Ukraine.

We condemn any attempts by Belarus in complicity with Russia to instrumentalise migrants for political purposes.

The authorities of Belarus must be held accountable for human rights violations, as well as complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Belarus must fulfil its obligations under international law.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

Extreme ill-treatment of political prisoners is a total disregard for obligations under the Convention against Torture, do you think it is time for the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to address the situation in Belarus?

Thank you.