The meeting, held via videoconference, was convened by Estonia – one of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council this year. Poland, along with nine other countries, acted as a co-initiator of the meeting, thus enhancing its importance. The developments in human rights in Belarus were presented by Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus Anaïs Marin. Her statement was complemented by Belarusian NGO activists who shared their experience and opinion of the Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made an extremely critical appraisal of political tensions in the Republic of Belarus. She appealed for greater commitment on the part of international community, including the United Nations, to resolve the crisis. The opposition leader also underlined that all the UN member states should call for a prompt release of all political detainees and launch of a dialogue with civil society. She appealed for a UN-led observer mission to be sent to Belarus.

In his speech, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz expressed Poland’s concerns over the unprecedented scale of repressions used by Belarusian regime against peaceful demonstrators, representatives of civil society, and independent journalists. He was particularly alarmed at information on mass arrests of protesters and allegations of torture and inhuman treatment, also of women and children. “No one can be tortured or be subjected to brutal, inhuman or degrading treatment, or punishment; everyone has the right to peaceful assembly and association,” recalled deputy minister pointing out that authorities in Belarus have to observe international law, including human rights.

As Polish MFA undersecretary of state stressed, the international community will unwaveringly condemn the Belarusian authorities’ reaction to the post-election protests. “That is why Poland, as both a European Union and the United Nations member state, and a country which played a key role in establishing the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, calls upon the authorities in Minsk to immediately release all the illegally imprisoned and to conduct impartial judicial investigation into all allegations on human rights violations,” declared Deputy Minister Przydacz. He also noted that it is only through a dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and civil society that this crisis can be solved.

The MFA undersecretary also pointed out the need to support civil society on the international level. “An unprecedented scale and persistency of the protests confirm that Belarusians are determined to live in a democratic country.” In this context, Deputy Minister Przydacz mentioned the Solidarity with Belarus aid package implemented by the Polish government. The plan offers assistance to repressed persons, civil society and media representatives. It also includes facilitations at Poland’s border crossings.

The addresses of overwhelming majority of the UN member states’ briefers were delivered in a similar spirit to the position taken by the Poland’s representative – they were unequivocally critical of the regime’s abuse and urged for a dialogue.  

MFA Press Office

Photo: Sebastian Indra / MFA