GENEVA – The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Nils Muižnieks, today warned that despite the release of several hundred political prisoners over the past year, there has been no overall improvement in the human rights situation in the country.
“While the release of more than 400 individuals recognised by Belarusian human rights defenders as political prisoners is welcome, it cannot obscure the broader reality,” Muižnieks said. “Sustainable progress requires an end to politically motivated repression and accountability for past violations.”
In his report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur stressed continuing politically motivated repression, arbitrary detention, severe ill-treatment of inmates, misuse of anti-extremism legislation, and growing patterns of transnational repression targeting Belarusians in exile.
Many former detainees have reportedly been forced into exile, experienced invalidation of identity documents and faced in absentia prosecutions. Others continue to face surveillance, inclusion on official ‘extremist’ or ‘terrorist’ lists, and the resulting restrictions on employment, education, banking and other fundamental aspects of daily life.
The expert documented violations of cultural rights and described a systematic restructuring of cultural space in Belarus, including the persecution of cultural workers, publishers, journalists, educators and scholars. He also noted restrictions on the use of the Belarusian language, suppression of historical memory and national symbols, and increasing pressure on ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities.
“Repression in Belarus has evolved beyond targeting political activists alone,” Muižnieks said. “It now encompasses cultural life, education, language, historical narratives and identity itself. Belarusians must be able to use their own language, preserve their history, express their cultural identity and participate freely in cultural life without fear of discrimination, censorship or persecution.”
Among his key recommendations, the Special Rapporteur called on Belarusian authorities to end the misuse of “extremism” legislation against cultural actors, publishers and educational institutions, and to ensure protection of artistic freedom, cultural expression and access to information. He also urged authorities to cease forced expulsions, restore access to identity documents, and end harassment of exiled Belarusians and their relatives.
