HRC63 - EU Statement - Interactive dialogue with the Group of Independent Expert on Belarus

United Nations Human Rights Council
63rd Session

Interactive dialogue with the Group of Independent Expert on Belarus

18 September 2026

EU Statement

Mr President, 

The European Union thanks the Group of Independent Experts for their report.

We heard today that acts which constitute gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations, and some of which may amount to crimes against humanity, continue unabated in Belarus. 

There is no “justice” in the Belarusian criminal justice system lacks, due to systematic violations of due process and the right to fair trial. It is therefore essential that we support all efforts to ensure accountability, including through the work of the Group of Independent Experts.

The experts found that the Belarusian authorities continued to arbitrarily arrest and detain individuals for their actual or perceived opposition to the Government and to subject them to inhuman conditions of detention, torture and other ill-treatment. 

The EU continues to call for investigations into and accountability for all cases of torture and other ill-treatment, sexual and gender-based violence, and inhumane detention conditions that may have led to deaths in custody. We call on Belarus to cooperate fully with your mandate.

The experts have also documented a pattern of transnational repression targeting Belarusians living in exile, including a pervasive culture of impunity and have made recommendations to Belarus and the international community in that regard.

The EU urges the Belarusian authorities to end their domestic and transnational repression aimed at dissent both in Belarus and abroad. This includes all forms of harassment or pressure that may result in forced departure, deportation or deprivation of consular services for individuals and their families. The EU also calls on Belarus to release all political prisoners.

We refer to our previous statements on the Belarusian authorities’ involvement in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, their instrumentalization of migrants and targeting of minorities.

Independent Experts,

Could you further elaborate on the impact that transnational repression has on the rights of the child, as we understand many families remain forcibly separated. 

Thank you.