Geneva, United Nations experts have reiterated concerns over the trial and conviction of Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski and two of his colleagues, stressing potential violations of fair trial standards.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the international experts are alarmed by the circumstances surrounding the convictions of Bialiatski, the 2022 Nobel Peace co-laureate and head of the Viasna Human Rights Centre, alongside his associates. These concerns echo the distress expressed in previous communications with the Belarusian government, which have gone unanswered. The trial’s conduct, including allegations of restricted access to legal counsel and inhumane treatment of the defendants, underscores fears of judicial proceedings being leveraged as retribution for human rights advocacy in Belarus.
The experts’ statements draw attention to the broader context of ongoing pressure on Viasna and its members since its inception in 1996, including previous legal challenges and the organization’s forced dissolution. They emphasize the necessity for Belarus to engage with international human rights mechanisms and to reassess the convictions to ensure adherence to international legal standards, aiming to safeguard the rights to freedom of expression and association within the country.