Summary

The present report is submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Anaïs Marin, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 38/14. This is her first report to the General Assembly. In it, she focuses on the structural conditions that hamper the conduct of elections in Belarus according to international human rights standards and highlights how laws and practices continue to limit the full enjoyment of civil and political rights by voters in Belarus. The findings of the Special Rapporteur indicate that insufficient progress has been made in electoral reform and that there continue to be restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle, the Special Rapporteur recalls the universality and indivisibility of human rights in electoral processes. Based on her conclusions, she makes recommendations to the Government of Belarus and the international community.