Thank you, Mr President.
Thank you, Deputy High Commissioner, for your report reminding us once again how Lukashenko's brutal and systematic campaign of repression continued unabated throughout 2021 and 2022.
Individuals exercising their human rights are systematically detained, intimidated and harassed by the Lukashenko regime. The number of political prisoners now surpasses 1400.
Civil society and independent media continue to be targeted, with lengthy sentences delivered after closed trials or trials in absentia. The UK strongly condemns the recent sentences handed down to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ales Bialiatski and the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Both of whom I have had the privilege to meet in person.
This repression continues and increases in 2023. Lukashenko has signed new laws, allowing the regime to confiscate property of those who engage in "unfriendly activities" and expanded the scope of the death penalty to include crimes of high treason by state or military officials.
The UK also urges the Belarusian authorities to end their support for Russia's illegal war.
Deputy High Commissioner,
How can the international community support those championing human rights in Belarus in the midst of continued, severe repression?
Thank you.
