UN experts decry threats against women human rights defenders in Belarus

GENEVA (2 November 2020) – 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.

"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."

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

Lawlor expressed concerns about the arrest in September 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. She faces between six months and three years in prison on a charge under Article 293(3) of the Criminal Code of Belarus alleging that she was educating or preparing people to participate in mass riots.

"The charge against Maria Rabkova is tantamount to the criminalisation of human rights work," she said. "Belarusian authorities must release her immediately and drop all charges against her."

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.

The two women were detained on charges of violating the procedure for holding a protest, but as the case progressed, authorities changed the dates of the protests in question. One date was specified when they were arrested, but another date was alleged when the two women were sentenced in court. Both women received short sentences of administrative detention.

"These apparent irregularities are extremely concerning," said Lawlor. "Inconsistencies in the formal accusations brought against these two brave women raise serious questions as to the legal basis for their initial detention and subsequent sentencing."

The work of human rights defenders is more essential than ever in times of unrest, said Lawlor. "When the risk of human rights violations increases, the documentation work carried out by defenders becomes crucial. They must not be punished for pursuing it."

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.