The committee consists of representatives of oppositional parties, NGOs and other public movements and was established simultaneously with the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Its activity will be oriented on restoration of the victims’ rights and compensation of the material and moral harm done to them. (12-JUN-07)
Based on RFE/RL
The idea to create such a committee was approved by the Congress of Democratic Forces which took place on 26-27 May. The event was timed to the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. According to human rights activist Rynkevich, the question of Belarus will be considered there as well. That’s why the organizational committee adopted a special statement about the necessity of ‘adequate actions’ of the civil society against persecution of political opponents by the Belarusian authorities.
The documents appreciates the positive role of the special rapporteur on Belarus Adrian Severin (right) and points that human rights and liberties continue to be violated in Belarus and courts and lawyers are still dependent on the state. That’s why the committee calls the session participants to preserve the institute and the mandate of the special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus at the UN Human Rights Council.
The report of Adrian Severin
During 2006 the situation of human rights in Belarus continued deteriorating. This is the conclusion of the report of Adrian Severin. On 12 June the rapporteur is to characterize the situation of protection of the fundamental human rights and liberties in detail at the fifth session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
According to Mr. Severin, Belarus does not implement its international undertakings on human rights. That’s why, being guided by the UN charter, the rapporteur proposes to the UN Security Council to take the appropriate measures for making Belarus implement its legal duties.
Belarusian Human Rights Defender’s opinion
The well-known human rights activist Ales Bialiatski (left) will take part in the session of the Human Rights Council as well. To his mind, the activity of the Special Rapporteur on human rights Belarus Adrin Severin is extremely important. His conclusions and estimations were completely confirmed by the majority of the influential European organizations. ‘Today it would be a very shortsighted position to state that his views are of subjective and political nature and that Special Rapporteur exceeds his powers. The role of the Special Rapporteur on control of the situation of human rights in Belarus can not be underestimated. The conclusions and recommendations of Adrian Severin concerning the situation in Belarus meet the reality. Let us hope that they will be ignored neither by the international community, nor by the Belarusian authorities,’ commented Ales Bialiatski.
The full text of Adrian Severin’s report in English can be found at: http://spring96.org/files/book/report_severin_2007_en.pdf
