Published on: 2026-09-18
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 18, 2026 Human Rights
A group of independent UN experts on the human rights situation in Belarus presented their updated report on Friday, which states a further deterioration of the situation in the country.
The report was presented by Karinna Moskalenko, Chair of the Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, at the United Nations Human Rights Council session.
Since the beginning of 2026, experts have conducted five missions and more than 70 interviews, collecting over 200 materials about violations. According to the reporters, “behind every statistic, there is a life, behind every violation – a person,” and this is precisely what defines the scale of what is happening.
Criminalization of civil activism
One of the most alarming trends experts identified was the persecution of local online communities – so-called courtyard chats. In March, eight women associated with such initiatives received long sentences on charges of extremism and attempted seizure of power.
As noted in the report, these communities emerged after the events of 2020 as platforms for mutual assistance, but since 2024 have become the target of a focused pressure campaign, especially against women. Many participants have been arrested and convicted under “extremist” charges.
Restrictions in the field of education
Experts also reported an increase in restrictions in the field of education. In April 2026, the European Humanities University, operating in exile, was recognized as an “extremist organization” and banned in Belarus. After that, students and their families faced threats, interrogations, and persecution.
“Education should open doors, not become a cause of intimidation,” the speakers emphasized.
The release of political prisoners “does not mean change”
This week, as well as earlier in March, the authorities released 275 people held for political reasons. Experts welcomed these steps but emphasized that they do not indicate a relaxation of the policy. Some of those released were forcibly expelled from the country – which constitutes a violation of international law.
According to the expert group, those released continue to face the risk of re-arrest, torture, persecution of relatives, and separation from children.
Passport Revocation
The practice of annulling the passports of political prisoners and their subsequent deportation causes particular concern among experts. Many of them have ended up without valid documents, which limits their movement, access to medical care, work, and legal status, and also increases the risk of becoming stateless persons.
Experts detailed the role of state institutions in the violations – from detention and interrogations to trial, prison confinement, and supervision after release.
According to their conclusions, the authorities of Belarus are responsible for violations of international conventions, including the Convention Against Torture, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
According to experts’ conclusions, the authorities of Belarus do not conduct real investigations and do not hold the guilty accountable.
Call to the international community
A group of experts has called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease violations, release all political prisoners, restore their rights, and bring legislation into line with international standards.
“Human rights are not a reward for obedience,” emphasized the speakers, urging the international community to continue closely monitoring the situation and to demand accountability for violations.
Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the UN Office in Geneva, Larisa Belskaya, rejected the conclusions of the report presented to the Human Rights Council, calling it “biased, politicized, and based on false claims.”
According to her, country-specific mechanisms regarding Belarus have been used for more than 20 years to pressure the authorities and the people of the country, and the activity of the group of experts is part of a large-scale campaign that includes sanctions, disinformation, and the escalation of military-political tension on Belarus’s western borders.
The representative of Belarus emphasized that the country is an independent sovereign state that independently determines its own path of development.
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff members and do not receive a salary for their work. The experts act in a personal capacity and independently from governments and any organizations.
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