HRC 62 - EU statement - Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus

United Nations Human Rights Council

62^nd Session

Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus

29 June 2026

EU Statement

Mr President, 

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report, and strongly condemns ongoing gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations in Belarus. 

Politically motivated repression, a completely closed civic space due to a severe crackdown on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association, severe ill-treatment in detention, including coercive psychiatric treatment, transnational repression, misuse of anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation are among the numerous violations documented by the independent mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur. 

The EU continues to raise concern about the appalling detention conditions, including incommunicado detention, restrictions on contacts with families and lawyers, disciplinary sanctions and physical punishments after suicide attempts or denial of essential medical care. 

We note the recent release of some political prisoners while expressing our concern about new arrests and re-arrests and restrictions on the rights and freedoms of those who have been released. We continue to urge for the immediate and unconditional release and effective rehabilitation of all political prisoners.

The EU urges the Belarusian authorities to stop their involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to halt their instrumentalization of migrants and to immediately ensure the safe return to Ukraine of all unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.

Mr. President,

The report also highlights violations of cultural rights through targeted repression and coercive restructuring of cultural space, education, language use, and historical narratives, where manifestations of cultural and national identity and linguistic affiliation are increasingly treated as markers of political opposition to Lukashenko regime’s actions.

EU remains concerned about intimidation campaigns against all segments of Belarusian society and intensifying practice of designating Belarusian cultural figures, educational actors, journalists and media workers, human rights defenders and human rights organizations as extremist formations.

Special Rapporteur, how can the international community further contribute to efforts to document these violations and hold authorities accountable?