48th session of the Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue on the interim oral update of OHCHR on the situation of human rights in Belarus

UN Human Rights Council, 48th session

Item 4: Interactive Dialogue on the interim oral update of OHCHR on the situation of human rights in Belarus

Statement delivered by Iceland 

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Thank you Madame President, and thank you to the High Commissioner for her oral update.

The situation in Belarus remains alarming as Lukashenko’s regime continues to disregard the human rights of the Belarusian people. Repression of political activists, human rights defenders, athletes, and others who dare to express their view, must stop.

The number of political prisoners in Belarus continues to rise, with politically driven sentencing used to silence opposition. Reports of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including sexual and gender-based violence, are greatly concerning. We urge the Belarusian authorities to immediately release all those who are unlawfully detained.

Moreover, we condemn the instrumentalization of migrants on the border of Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland – and call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately seize those hybrid tactics.

Iceland will continue to stand by the Belarusian people in their legitimate quest for a democratic, independent, and prosperous Belarus. We call on the regime to respect human rights and to foster a climate where a real dialogue on human rights and democracy can take place.

I thank you.