UN experts condemn threats against women human rights defenders in Belarus

Independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council criticised Belarus for persecuting women human rights defenders in the context of the mass protests taking place in the country since August.

Between 6 September and 6 October, at least three women have been targeted for defending human rights as the government continues to crackdown on protests against the August presidential election.

"Belarus has effectively criminalised human rights work at a time when the work of human rights defenders is more essential than ever,” Mary Lawlor, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, said in remarks endorsed by four other mandates under the Special Procedures framework of the Council. “In Belarus, as in many other countries, it takes special courage for women to stand up for human rights, Lawlor said. “Women human rights defenders are being particularly targeted in the crackdown against ongoing protests."

Lawlor expressed concerns about the arrest of Maria Rabkova, a volunteer coordinator at the Human Rights Centre Viasna which has been documenting respect for freedom of assembly and other human rights. The rapporteur also expressed concern about the prosecution of two other women human rights defenders, Irina Sukhiy and Marina Dubina, members of the environmental NGO Ecohome and the irregularities in the administrative process against them.

Lawlor's call was endorsed by Ms. Anaïs Marin, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; Leigh Toomey (Chair-Rapporteur), Elina Steinerte (Vice-Chair), José Guevara Bermúdez, Sètondji Roland Adjovi, and Seong-Phil Hong, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights of peaceful assembly and association and Elizabeth Broderick (Chair), Meskerem Geset Techane, Ivana RadačIć, Elena Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Melissa Upreti (Vice-Chair), Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.