Summary

In the present report, submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 50/20, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus provides a holistic update on developments in the areas of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in Belarus, covering the period from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. On the basis of collected and verified information, the Special Rapporteur concludes that the human rights situation in Belarus has continued to deteriorate. Particular attention is paid in the report to the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including media freedoms and academic freedoms and to the interconnected rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association. It documents the ongoing crackdown on independent journalists, human rights defenders and trade unions. The report also provides an analysis of the legislative practices and repressive policies that have led to the eradication of civic space in Belarus and forced many Belarusians into exile. The Special Rapporteur makes recommendations to relevant stakeholders for addressing the deplorable human rights situation in Belarus.