Legislation severely restricting basic rights as "freedom of assembly, association and expression" are concern of 3 UN human rights experts - who said such worsen the "current climate of fear and intimidation" in Belarus. These new laws criminalize, for example, public assemblies without the prior and explicit consent of the authorities.


Curtailing Use of web/Social Media:

Public calls for initiating assemblies and disseminating information – including through social media platforms – about assemblies without permission is banned. Also, NGOs are prohibited from storing funds in banks on foreign territory, and receiving foreign grants or donations could also be a criminal offense in some circumstances. Maina Kiai, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, described the amendments as representing "a direct affront to the exercise of fundamental civil and political rights which are at the core of any democratic society." He pointed out that the changes to existing laws on public associations, political parties, public gatherings, the criminal code and the election code were done without proper consultation with civil society.


Both in Theory & Functionality, Fundamental Rights Impeded:


Concern for both human rights and procedures in criminal and/or administrative proceedings has been more frequently raised with respect to Belarus. See Film Report: “A Bullet for Two Belarus Men” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/a-bullet-for-two-belarus-men-a-rebuke-for-belarus-by-susan-sacirbey/32650


Frank La Rue, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, voiced particular concern with criminal sanctions for the "staging of seminars" or the distribution of "propaganda materials." Mr. La Rue offered that the measures "will undermine the ability of all individuals to disseminate information and to express their legitimate grievances and concerns peacefully."


Margaret Sekaggya, the UN expert on the situation of human rights defenders, stressed that defenders must be able to carry out their work without undue obstacles, including restrictions on funding. "When defenders are allowed to associate but cannot effectively seek, receive or utilize funding resources, the right to freedom of association becomes void."


The three experts noted that the amendments may be linked to the situation of Ales Bialiatski, the head of Viasna, a human rights center. He is currently facing legal proceedings for alleged tax invasion. Read: - "Belarus Arrest of Human Rights Defender" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/belarus-arrest-of-human-rights-defender-by-ambassador-mo/33013




By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey






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