On March 12, a side event titled “Human Rights in Belarus” took place in Geneva, dedicated to the human rights situation in Belarus, the current conditions of political prisoners in prisons, and issues of international accountability. The event was held as part of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The discussion featured:
- Leanid Marozau, Legal Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya;
- Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Chairman of the Viasna Human Rights Center;
- Andrea Huber, Head of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus;
- Karinna Moskalenko, UN Independent Expert on Belarus.
On the same day, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the UN Human Rights Council. She called for securing the release of all political prisoners, continuing international pressure on the regime, and holding it accountable.
Ales Bialiatski’s appearance at the side event, soon after his release from prison, served as a stark reminder to the international community of the price Belarusians pay for freedom and human rights.
Leanid Marozau: “When the regime demands gratitude for releasing people it unlawfully imprisoned in the first place, it is like asking for applause from a kidnapper for returning hostages. People must never become bargaining chips or diplomatic currency. The only genuine humanitarian step is the release of all political prisoners alongside the immediate end of repression”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office thanks the Institute for Human Rights and Emin Huseynov personally for organizing this important discussion.
