Summary

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus describes the situation of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in 2020 and early 21 in Belarus. The mandate holder documents the ongoing wave of repression in the country with evidence of massive violations unprecedented in scope and gravity. In focusing on the right to education, she also highlights systemic problems in access to quality education, tutoring in the Belarusian language, education in correctional facilities, compulsory enrolment in students’ unions, the limitation of teachers’ rights, and academic freedoms. The Special Rapporteur concludes that the Government should address longstanding issues by introducing concrete, durable changes. On the basis of the human rights concerns identified, she makes recommendations for concretely improving the situation of human rights of all in Belarus.