Climate of fear permeates repressive Belarusian society

geneva - United Nations investigators are accusing the Belarusian government of Alexander Lukashenko of instilling "a pervasive climate of fear by quashing all avenues of dissent" by systematically oppressing its perceived political opponents.

"Measures of repression and intimidation aimed at suppressing dissent continue unabated in Belarus, particularly in the lead-up to the presidential election scheduled in 2025," Karinna Moskaleko, chair of the Group of independent Experts told the U.N. human rights council Monday.

Moskaleko presented a searing account of widespread human rights violations, abuse, and horrific cases of cruelty and deprivation in this first oral update of the human rights situation in Belarus by the Expert Group, newly created by the council in March.

She read out a list of abuses committed in Belarus since May 2020, when nationwide protests erupted, following Lukashenko's decision to seek another term as president.

Among those cited are arbitrary deprivation of the right to life and to liberty, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual and gender-based violence, denial of a fair trial, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

"While sexual and gender-based violence is underreported, there is credible information some women and men in detention have been threatened with rape and subjected to forced nudity and cavity searches," Moskaleko said.

"We continue to observe a misuse of national security and criminal laws to silence any dissent. Individuals perceived as political opponents continue to be charged and arrested under the criminal code, for exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression and association," she said, adding that "free trial rights are systematically violated."

The report notes that Belarusians forced into exile continue to be harassed by Lukashenko's government, that their assets and properties are seized and relatives left behind are intimidated by the authorities.

The group of experts accused the government "for the near-total destruction of civic space and fundamental freedoms," with most of the opposition either imprisoned or forced into exile since the 2020 elections ... creating a chilling effect on any participation in activities "perceived as critical of the government."

Lukashenko recently pardoned dozens of people who had been convicted for participating in the 2020 protests. While welcoming the announced release, Moskaleko noted that "they represent only a small fraction of those who have been arrested" and urged the government to promptly release "all those arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges."

Larysa Belskaya, Belarusia ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva was unimpressed by what she heard and told "the West," which she claimed was behind the report, "to stop meddling in our domestic affairs."

She said next year's presidential election will be the domestic affair of a sovereign state.

"We do not need foreign approval or disapproval regarding the outcome of our peoples' expression of their will," she said. "Belarus, like the overwhelming majority of developing countries, does not accept interference in its domestic affairs or pressure or sanctions."

This set off a spirited debate in the council with Western countries strongly condemning the persecution and intimidation of all segments of Belarusian society. They demanded an end to the government's repressive policies and urged the immediate release of all political prisoners.

They denounced the Belarusian government's support of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and called for an end to its complicity in the illegal deportation of Ukranian children by Russia.

Michele Taylor, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. human rights council in Geneva, condemned the ongoing repression in Belarus "including the use of torture, arbitrary detention, intimidation, harassment of families of political prisoners and transnational repression of Belarusians."

On the other hand, Stanislav Kovpak, chief counselor at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Multilateral Human Rights Cooperation deplored "the double standards and biased approach in assessing the situation in Belarus."

"At the same time, the role of the West is hushed up as is their significant support for the opposition who has emigrated," he said, criticizing the use of illegal restrictive measures by Western countries against the Belarusian economy ... "and the stirring up of anti-government feeling by Western-controlled, biased media."

He rebuked the group of experts who "worked here in gross violation of the basic principles of impartiality that should underpin the human rights body."

Addressing the council via videolink, exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said she was speaking for the more than 1,400 political prisoners who could not speak for themselves, along with the teachers, doctors and activists behind bars for "speaking the truth and dreaming of freedom."

"Many of them are held in complete isolation, incommunicado ... no letters, no phone calls, no contact with the outside world. My husband Syarhei has been cut off for over a year. I do not know if he is alive," she said.

Syarhei Tsikhanouski was arrested and imprisoned in 2020 after announcing his plan to challenge Lukashenko for the presidency.