Geneva
The UN Human Rights Council agreed Monday to host an urgent debate about the deteriorating rights situation in Belarus since protests erupted over Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed re-election as president last month. The decision to host an urgent debate, as requested by the European Union, was taken following a vote, with 25 of the council’s 47 members voting in favour, two against and 20 abstentions. UN Human Rights Council President Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger of Austria said the debate would take place on Friday.
Torture allegations against Belarusian security forces during a recent crackdown on protesters must be investigated, the UN rights chief said on Monday, turning up the pressure on strongman Alexander Lukashenko.
Michelle Bachelet said there were hundreds of allegations of torture or ill-treatment, including of children, stemming from the response to protests over the disputed re-election of Lukashenko as president of Belarus. “Given their scale and number, all allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment by the security forces should be documented and investigated, with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice,” she said during the opening of the UN Human Rights Council, which has agreed to hold an urgent debate.—APP
