Special Rapporteur on Belarus

Introduction

On 28 June 2012, the Human Rights Council established the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus in its resolution 20/13. The mandate has since then been renewed each year.  Since 1 November 2024, Mr. Nils Muižnieks assumes the functions of Special Rapporteur.

Current mandate holder

Nils Muižnieks (Latvia) is a political scientist and human rights expert based in Riga, Latvia. He has served as Europe Regional Director at Amnesty International, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Director of a social science research institute at the University of Latvia, Latvian Minister of Social Integration, and director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies.

Overview of the mandate

The Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/20/13 mandates the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus to:

1. monitor the situation of human rights in Belarus and to make recommendations for its improvement;
2. help to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the High Commissioner (A/HRC/20/8) to the Human Rights Council in June 2012;
3. assist the Government of Belarus in fulfilling its human rights obligations;
4. to offer support and advice to civil society;
5. seek, receive, examine and act on information from all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the situation of human rights in Belarus;
6. report annually to the Human Rights Council and to the General Assembly.