50th Session of the Human Rights Council: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus

50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

28 June 2022

ITEM 4 - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus

Statement by Iceland

Iceland thanks the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus for her report, an important update on an ever-worsening human rights situation that we must not lose sight of.

Belarus’ involvement in the war against Ukraine exacerbates the situation in Belarus and creates additional concerns. Civil society remains under attack and the widespread use of disinformation is alarming and must stop.

We are deeply concerned about widespread and systematic violations and abuses that have been executed as an official policy, as well as recent constitutional and other legislative changes that restrict fundamental freedoms even further, including the recently adopted law on the death penalty.

Iceland strongly supports the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. The Rapporteur’s work is vital to gain insight into the human rights violations and abuses taking place every day in Belarus with the collection of information showing persecution of political opponents of the regime, arbitrary arrests, and harassment of human rights defenders.

Iceland condemns the systematic human rights violations and abuses of the Belarusian regime and calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners. We call on Belarus to adhere to its international commitments and obligations under human rights law.

We stand firmly with the Belarusian people in their fight for a free and democratic society.

Thank you.