OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus

Background and mandate

The High Commissioner mandate relating to the examination of the human rights situation in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath was renewed for an additional period of one year on 4 April 2023 through HRC resolution A/HRC/RES/52/29 : Decides to extend, for a period of one year, the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with the assistance of the three appointed independent experts and special procedure mandate holders, until the fifty-fifth session of the Human Rights Council. The resolution mandates the examination to:

1. Monitor and report on the situation of human rights, to carry out a comprehensive examination of all alleged human rights violations committed in Belarus since 1 May 2020 in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and in its aftermath, including the possible gender dimensions of such violations, to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged violations, and to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse information and evidence and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view to contributing to accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims, such as through relevant judicial and other proceedings, including criminal proceedings in courts and tribunals that have competent jurisdiction;
2. Make general recommendations on improving respect for and the protection of human rights, and to provide guidance on access to justice, including reparations, and accountability, as appropriate.
3. Engage with the Belarusian authorities and all stakeholders, in particular Belarusian, regional and international civil society, international human rights organizations, United Nations agencies, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, relevant companies and States with a view to exchanging information, as appropriate, and providing support for national, regional and international efforts to promote accountability for human rights violations in Belarus;

The Council requested the High Commissioner to present an interim oral update to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-fourth session, and a comprehensive written report at its fifty-fifth session, both to be followed by an interactive dialogue.

In accordance with this mandate, the High Commissioner for Human Rights renewed the OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus, with a secretariat based in Vienna, and renewed the appointment of three experts to play a supportive and advisory role to OHCHR and the secretariat.

Experts

• Ms. Karinna Moskalenko (Russian Federation), Chair
• Ms. Susan Bazilli (Canada)
• Ms. Monika Platek (Poland)

In May 2023, a Call for Submissions for the OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus was issued.