United Nations special representatives on human rights have urged Belarusian authorities to investigate the torture and deaths of political prisoners. A report by the UN special rapporteur for Belarus revealed that five individuals who died in custody in Belarus were convicted on politically motivated charges.
The report highlighted that none of the deceased underwent an autopsy, raising concerns about arbitrary deprivation of life by State authorities. The UN advocates called for prompt, effective, impartial, and transparent investigations into all deaths in custody in Belarus.
Of particular concern are several Belarusian opposition politicians, lawyers, and activists who have been missing for over a year. The Viasna human rights center reported that there are currently 1,401 political prisoners in Belarus, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.
The UN report criticized the harsh conditions in Belarusian jails, citing instances of torture and other cruel treatment. Political prisoners are reportedly subjected to wearing a special yellow mark, solitary confinement, and isolation from the outside world.
President Alexander Lukashenko's crackdown on critics in 2020, following a disputed election, has led to a targeted eradication of civil society in Belarus, according to the UN report. The situation in Belarus is described as extremely concerning and in need of sustained attention.
