Miklós Haraszti Visits Minsk upon OSCE Invitation

Upon arrival, Miklós Haraszti expressed his regret that he is visiting Belarus not in the capacity of a UN Special Rapporteur; nevertheless, he will be able to present his standing regarding the human rights situation in Belarus at official platforms: he is going to speak at the parallel event during the 26th annual session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on July 6.

In the comment to the Human Rights Center Viasna, Miklós Haraszti expressed his hope that such official event as the PA OSCE session will become the first step towards recognition of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus by official Minsk. 

We remind that Miklós Haraszti has been in the position of the Special Rapporteur on Belarus of the UN Human Rights Council since 2012. Belarusian government declined to recognize the mandate and to cooperate from the beginning. The Special Rapporteur could not visit Belarus, as this required official invitation of the authorities; so, Miklós Haraszti’s reports were based on information from Belarusian human rights defenders, experts and journalists, from official documents, and from communication with Belarusian citizens and other UN human rights mechanisms. The latest report of the Special Rapporteur on Belarus was presented on June 14 this year, and on June 23 the HRC adopted a resolution on Belarus extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Belarus for one more year, which was greeted by the human rights community greeted.