Geneva, 29 June 2022
Thank you, Mr President.
Latvia aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the EU.
We thank Ms Anaïs Marin for presenting her annual report, and for her dedicated work in fulfilling her mandate.
Latvia is greatly concerned about the continuously deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus, including reports of arbitrary deprivation of life in detention, of torture and other ill-treatment committed by law enforcement, and of arbitrary arrests and detentions of persons exercising their right to freedom of expression, association or peaceful assembly. The systemic impunity and lack of accountability for these human rights violations is especially alarming, and indicates a deliberate government policy of silencing dissent.
We are also worried about restrictions of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, including criminal persecution of participants in unauthorised events, banning live media coverage of the protests, repressions against non-government-controlled media, persecution of journalists, bloggers and media workers, and reprisals and judicial harassment of civil society organisations and human rights defenders. We align with the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations in this regard.
Latvia calls on the Belorussian authorities to comply with its international human rights obligations, to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and the OHCHR in a genuine and meaningful manner, and to cease its support to Russia’s military aggression on Ukraine.
In conclusion, allow me to express our strong support for the renewal of Special Rapporteur’s mandate and encourage other States to support it as well.
I thank you!