The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus Miklós Haraszti has condemned the repression against the Belarusian people.
He said he is concerned about the actions of the Belarusian authorities against peaceful demonstrators, non-governmental organizations, journalists and representatives of the opposition.
“The events of last weekend prove intentional nature of the repression and show the open return of the government to the old policy of massive repression against citizens exercising or promoting human rights provided by the Constitution and international treaties. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and to urge the international community to initiate a dialogue with human rights defenders and those who contribute to a peaceful and democratic change in Belarus,” said Haraszti.
He was particularly shocked by the raids of NGO offices, including “Viasna”, where physical violence was used.
“Two weeks ago, together with other experts in the field of human rights, I warned that the government of President Lukashenka, which had brutally repressed any form of dissent before, was likely to be committing violations [of human rights]” recalled Haraszti.
The official Minsk does not recognize the mandate of the special rapporteur Miklos Haraszti and would not let him into the country.
Dispersal of a peaceful rally on March 25 in Minsk has already received a negative assessment from the international community. The European Union, the United States condemned the actions of the Belarusian authorities. Ukraine sent a protest note to the Government of Belarus over the arrest of three of its citizens.
