A group of UN Special Rapporteurs has addressed the regime in Belarus regarding the draft law “On Amendments to Laws on Ensuring Children’s Rights”, which passed its first reading. Under this bill, individuals convicted of “extremist crimes” would be barred from engaging in teaching or holding positions involving regular work with children.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor on Legal Affairs, Leanid Marozau, explains:
“On February 25, 2025, UN Special Rapporteurs expressed serious concern over the new draft law in Belarus, which further tightens repression under the guise of protecting children’s rights.
Key issues with the bill are as follows:
- Teachers, coaches, and caregivers who have ever faced repression would no longer be able to work in their profession.
- The ban applies even if a conviction has been expunged or prosecution was dropped due to the statute of limitations or amnesty.
- Authorities continue to misuse vague terms like ‘extremism’ and ‘terrorism’ to target dissenters.
- This violates international laws that Belarus has officially committed to upholding.
UN has already called for the repeal of this bill and for Belarusian laws to be brought in line with human rights standards”.
