Speech

UN Human Rights Council 46: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on Belarus

Minister Wendy Morton delivered this statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on Belarus

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Wendy Morton MP
• Published: 25 February 2021

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Delivered on: 25 February 2021 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Madam President.

The United Kingdom welcomes the report by the High Commissioner.

The last six months have been tough to witness. The Belarusian people have had their democratic rights stolen. Over 30,000 people have been detained, over 400 journalists persecuted, over 250 political prisoners are in jail. Freedoms of assembly, opinion and expression have been extinguished. Civil Society and independent free media are being tragically suppressed, as witnessed by the raids across Belarus last week. UN Human Rights experts have called on the security forces to cease acts of torture against detainees and put an end to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. None of these acts have been investigated by the Belarusian authorities.

The UK worked with partners in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to invoke an independent investigation into the harrowing human rights situation in Belarus. The OSCE report’s conclusions are clear: violations have occurred on a massive scale. It also makes clear the need for a comprehensive and independent investigation of the human rights situation in Belarus.

High Commissioner,

Which of the recommendations in your report must the Belarusian authorities address most urgently?

Thank you.

Published 25 February 2021