Thank you Madam President.
The United Kingdom acknowledges Belarus' engagement with the UPR. However, we are deeply concerned about the continuing human rights violations in Belarus and the government's refusal to engage with the UN Special Rapporteur.
The UN High Commissioner's report makes clear that the human rights crisis is of a magnitude unprecedented in Belarus. It records serious, systemic violations of human rights, including the freedom of expression, of peaceful assembly and association, and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs. Furthermore, it documents a climate of fear and impunity that has enabled the arbitrary arrest and detention of thousands of Belarusians; a disregard for due process and fair trial; as well as enforced disappearances, torture and ill treatment.
We regret that Belarus has not accepted the UK's three recommendations, which were: to remove restrictions on fundamental freedoms and independent media; to release those unjustly detained and investigate all reports of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and to fully implement the recommendations of the independent report by the Moscow Mechanism of the OSCE. The UK urges Belarus to take action to improve the human rights situation, to engage fully with the UN and the international community and to implement the recommendations accepted during the UPR.
Thank you.
