On June 9, 2023, the UN Human Rights Committee registered a complaint from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. It was prepared by Respect — Protect — Fulfill, the human rights organization that also represents Ms. Tsikhanouskaya in the Committee.
The complaint alleges that the authorities of Belarus violated Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's right to be elected in fair elections, the right to a fair trial, and the right not to be subjected to torture, which was manifested in the forced expulsion from the country. The complaint contains numerous testimonies of how the authorities obstructed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's election campaign in 2020, as well as data from the Voice, Zubr, and Honest People initiatives, which prove that the election results announced by the Central Election Commission were not reflective of the actual voting by the people of Belarus.
According to Mikita Matsiuchenkau, a lawyer for RPF, there is no doubt that the Committee will find a violation of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's rights. The decision on the complaint is of great importance to all of us, as, unlike political statements, it will be a legal confirmation of Lukashenka's illegitimacy. The Committee's findings can be used in various international contexts, such as determining Belarus's obligations and responsibilities arising from the actions of Lukashenka's regime.
