Photo: UN Human Rights Council
On 11 October 2024, in Geneva, Mr. Nils Muižnieks was appointed as the new UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus.
The appointment to this important position in the UN body is the acknowledgement of N.Muižnieks’ extensive international and national experience in the field human rights. Representatives from seven countries stood as candidates for the position of the Special Rapporteur, and since November 2018 Ms. Anais Marin (France) assumed these functions.
On 28 June 2012, the Human Rights Council established the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus in its resolution 20/13. The Special Rapporteur provides his expertise and contribution to the monitoring of the situation of human rights in Belarus and makes recommendations for its improvement, as well as reports annually to the Human Rights Council and General Assembly. The mandate of the Rapporteur is renewed each year.
Mr. Nils Muižnieks has extensive professional experience in the field of human rights, including as Europe Regional Director at the non-governmental human rights Amnesty International and Director of Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies. Mr. Muižnieks has served as Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Affairs of Latvia and Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe.