During her working visit to Geneva, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with Nell Crocker and Michèle Taylor, who represent the United States in the UN organizations.
The Belarusian leader discussed the dire conditions in the country’s prisons, the critical situation regarding political prisoners, and the recent deaths of prisoners with the diplomats.The leader emphasized the need for an international response to the humanitarian crisis in Belarus.
The parties also discussed ways to implement the UN Human Rights Committee’s decision on urgent protection measures for Maksim Znak, Viktar Babaryka, and Siarhei Tsikhanouski. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya noted that this decision allows the governments to demand access to political prisoners held incommunicado.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed the need for decisive action vis-a-vis political prisoners by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The leader called for demanding access to prisons and medical assistance, as well as seeking ways for political prisoners’ release through international organizations.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also discussed the implementation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) resolution and Article 33 invoked against the Lukashenka regime last year. The leader stressed that the countries must take measures mentioned in the resolution and raise the issue of Belarus during the next ILO meeting. She also proposed holding a side event on Belarus.
The Belarusian leader urged the diplomats to support the resolution on Belarus within the Human Rights Council, which should be adopted in the spring. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also noted the need to continue two mandates on Belarus – the UN expert group collecting evidence of the regime’s crimes and the special rapporteur on Belarus.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for holding the regime and its accomplices accountable in the International Criminal Court. The leader handed over the documents and evidence collected by the National Anti-Crisis Management proving the regime’s involvement in crimes, including the displacement of Ukrainian children and crimes against humanity.
The parties also discussed the issues faced by Belarusians related to the legalization of stay abroad, as well as the possible ways the International Organization for Migration could help. Specifically, they discussed ways to systematically resolve the issues related to legal documents, expired passports, and birth certificates. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also spoke about the new Belarusian passport project.
With Michèle Taylor
With Bathsheba Nell Crocker
