Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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March 12, 2026 Human rights
The Belarusian authorities are conducting a systematic campaign of repression against their opponents, both real and perceived. People are subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions for exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
This was stated by the Chairperson of the Group of Independent Experts on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Karinna Moskalenko, while presenting the group's second report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Since January 2025, experts have conducted 181 interviews with victims and witnesses and reviewed nearly two thousand documents.
Inhumane conditions of detention
Moskalenko reported that, according to the collected materials, prisoners in Belarus are held in inhumane conditions and subjected to torture. They are deprived of sleep, and their cells are kept at extremely low temperatures.
"Political prisoners were regularly subjected to punitive isolation on trumped-up disciplinary grounds. Many reported being beaten with fists, feet, batons, and other objects, as well as having electric shock devices used on them," Moskalenko said.
"We are deeply concerned about the deaths of eight people in custody. Some of these deaths could likely have been prevented," she added.
Women detained on politically motivated charges were denied adequate access to gender-sensitive health care, which negatively impacted their health.
The rights of LGBTQI individuals were also violated. Some LGBTQI individuals were subjected to particularly harsh and humiliating conditions of detention.
Forced deportation of those released
In 2025, nearly 200 prisoners – most of whom were held for political reasons – were released after negotiations with the United States.
However, the manner of their release raises serious concerns, Moskalenko noted. Belarusian and foreign citizens were forcibly deported to third countries, and some were stripped of their identity documents.
"These measures are contrary to international human rights standards," the human rights activist emphasized.
Today, more than 1,130 people are illegally detained in Belarus.
"We urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners," Moskalenko said.
Transnational repression
Belarusians cannot feel safe even in exile. A group of experts has documented a campaign of transnational repression.
Authorities have opened criminal cases, conducted trials in absentia, frozen assets, and confiscated property of individuals who participated in peaceful demonstrations abroad, gave interviews to media outlets deemed extremist by the authorities, or simply published photographs with opposition leaders.
"We have also confirmed cases where security forces have harassed and intimidated family members of Belarusians in exile," Moskalenko noted.
The guilty are not held accountable
Experts also confirmed that a climate of impunity reigns in the country, and those responsible are not held accountable.
"Not a single significant investigation or disciplinary action has been conducted. On the contrary, those allegedly involved in serious violations have been promoted or awarded state awards," the human rights activist stated.
The Belarusian government, despite repeated requests, continues to refuse to cooperate with the expert group.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.