UN warns of political prisoners' situation in Belarus ahead of poll
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN warns of political prisoners' situation in Belarus ahead of poll, 11 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc50215.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 11, 2015
By RFE/RL
Miklos Haraszti, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus
The United Nations has voiced alarm over a deterioration in the plight of several political prisoners in Belarus ahead of a presidential election in October.
On June 11, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus, Miklos Haraszti, also reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those imprisoned for exercising their civil and political rights.
"In this election year, the authorities have both kept critical-minded political personalities in prison and severely hardened their situation, instead of giving a reassuring signal to society on creating an environment for free and fair elections," Haraszti said in a statement.
Haraszti also mentioned the "massive reprisals during the last presidential elections of December 2010," and said the current situation was "disheartening."
He said, "I urge the Belarus authorities not only to release, but also to fully rehabilitate political opponents who have been imprisoned."
Following authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's reelection in December 2010, seven of the nine presidential candidates were arrested and incarcerated along with hundreds who protested against the nontransparent voting procedure.
Belarus has often been referred to as "the last dictatorship in Europe."
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