On 17 May, Belarus was defeated in a bid to the UN’s Human Rights Council. Given the decreasing human rights situation in the country, Minsk’s decision to apply for membership in the Council had mobilized widespread protests of the local as well as international human rights community. Belarusian Human Rights Center Viasna and members of the Human Rights House Network were among these. (25-MAY-07)

Text by HRH F / Agnieszka Cholewinska

Belarusian Human Rights Center Viasna had directed its appeal to the state parties that were to decide whether Belarus would become a representative of the UN Human Rights Council. In the conclusion of its petition, Viasna stated:

“The election of a representative of Belarus to the UN Human Rights Council would mean devaluation of this organ and could deprive it of the possibility to implement its functions concerning defense of human rights and liberties (…) We perceive the nomination of the Republic of Belarus to the UN Human Rights Council as a political step of the Belarusian authorities aimed at overcoming the criticism of the international human rights community and having nothing in common with genuine wish to serve the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” See also: Appeal against the Belarusian membership in UN Human Rights Council

In solidarity with their Belarusian colleagues, various members of the Human Rights House Network expressed their deep concern about the Belarusian authorities intention to join the Council. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina urged the members of the BiH Mission to the UN not to give their vote to Belarus and to prevent this country from becoming a member of the top institution for protection of human rights and freedoms. According to the Helsinki Committee in Sarajevo, Belarus is probably the country with the weakest protection of human rights on the “Old Continent.” See also: Criminal persecution as a political tool in Belarus and BH Mission to the UN should not give their vote to Belarus