Summary

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Anaïs Marin, focuses on the legislation and measures for countering terrorism and extremism and the impact thereof on the enjoyment of human rights in Belarus. The adoption and implementation of such legislation in Belarus is part of a State-directed, widespread and systematic policy for eradicating civic space and any actual or perceived dissent in the country. The report sheds light on how domestic legal norms on State security in the reprisal toolbox are instrumentalized to silence unwelcome independent or dissident voices and opposition figures. The report also provides an overview of the grave human rights violations, such as arbitrary detention and lengthy imprisonment on politically motivated grounds, resulting from this policy. The Special Rapporteur makes recommendations to the Government of Belarus to discontinue the policies of enhanced repression in place since the contested 2020 presidential election. She also makes recommendations to the international community and encourages it to support accountability efforts, address the protection needs of Belarusians compelled to exile and empower independent voices working on human rights and democracy in and outside Belarus.