News

The Report on the human rights violations in Belarus under the Moscow Mechanism presented at the Permanent Council of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on 11 May 2023, confirmed that Belarusian regime aims to control the society and suppress all critical voices, including those opposing Belarus’ complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Deputy Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Ms. Nida Jakubonė in her statement at the Permanent Council of OSCE stressed that “internal repressions have paved the way for Belarusian regime to allow Russia to use its territory for the aggression against Ukraine. In turn, Belarus’ involvement in the war has allowed authorities to further increase politically motivated repressions, including against those who expressed opposition to the war or support for the Ukrainian people.”

Lithuania’s representative expressed deep concern about continuously deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, including massive politically motivated arrests and detentions, and inhuman treatment of those in detention. The condemnation of the Belarusian regime's actions, which led to a forced landing of a civilian Ryanair plane and the recent conviction of a Belarusian journalist taken form that flight, the instrumentalization of migrant flows and the violation of the rights of minorities living in Belarus were also reiterated in the statement. Lithuania’s representative also voiced Lithuania’s strong determination to continue to provide shelter and assistance to those fleeing repressions and to contribute to ending impunity and preventing further crimes.

In the aftermath of the 2020 massive repressions in Belarus, one of the OSCE Human dimension instruments – the Moscow Mechanism – has been invoked for the second time. The first report, presented on 5 November 2020, confirmed that massive and systematic violations and abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms were committed in Belarus.

The second Report under the Moscow Mechanism regarding human rights situation in Belarus can be found here.