UN to Deal with Human Rights Resolution on Belarus :: Charter'97 :: News

The text of the human rights resolution was put for consideration of the 59th UN Commission for human rights session, held these days in Geneva. Consideration of such a document in the UN Commission happens for the very first time in history. Feel free to familiarize yourselves with the draft resolution’s transcript.

SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BELARUS

The Commission on Human Rights,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other applicable human rights instruments;

Reaffirming that all States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to fulfill the international obligations they have freely undertaken;

Mindful that Belarus is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child;

Mindful of the requests made to the Government of Belarus by the UN Working Group on Involuntary Disappearances regarding the disappearance of the former Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Zackarenko;

Noting the November, 2000 concluding observations of the Committee against Torture on the third periodic report of Belarus as well as the lack of progress of the Government of Belarus in addressing the noted shortfalls;

1. Expresses deep concern:

a) At reports from credible sources, including statements of former investigators and senior law enforcement officials of the government of Belarus, implicating senior government officials of Belarus in the disappearance and deaths of three political opponents of the incumbent authorities, and of a journalist;

b) About reports of arbitrary arrest and detention;

c) About persistent reports of harassment of non-governmental organizations, of opposition political parties, and of individuals engaged in opposition activities;

d) About reports of potential increased restrictions on the activities of religious organizations;

2. Urges the Government of Belarus to:

a) dismiss or suspend from their duties law-enforcement officers implicated in the disappearances and/or deaths, pending a credible investigation of those cases;

b) bring the actions of its police and security forces into conformity with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as well as other relevant international standards;

c) establish independence of the judiciary and end the impunity for persons responsible for killing or injuring individuals;

d) release journalists and other individuals detained for politically-motivated reasons and to cease harassment of non-governmental organizations and political parties;

3. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to appoint a personal representative whose mandate will be to make a thorough study of the violations of human rights by the Government of Belarus, based on all information he or she may deem relevant, including information provided by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and any comments and material provided by the Government of Belarus, and submit a report thereon to the Commission on Human Rights at its sixtieth session;

4. Urges the Government of Belarus to afford all necessary assistance to the High Commissioner’s personal representative in this regard;

5. Decides to examine this question at is sixtieth session, under the same agenda item.