Belarus may have committed crimes against humanity, concludes UN human rights report

The report said violations appeared to have been part of a campaign of violence directed at those who opposed President Alexander Lukashenko

Disproportionate force resulted in at least five deaths, the report said, but given the ‘widespread and systematic practice of torture’ the true toll might be higher

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A UN Human Rights Office report published on Friday concluded that gross human rights violations were being committed across Belarus. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:31am, 18 Mar 2023Updated: 4:05am, 18 Mar 2023

The United Nations said on Friday that rights violations committed against people thought to oppose Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko may amount to crimes against humanity.

A UN Human Rights Office report published on Friday concluded that gross human rights violations were being committed across the country.

“Violations appear to have been part of a campaign of violence and repression intentionally directed at those who were – or were perceived to be – opposing the government or had expressed critical views,” the office said.

“Some of these violations may amount to crimes against humanity.”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Photo: Sputnik/Vladimir Astapkovich/Kremlin via Reuters

The report was published just hours before Belarus handed long prison terms to senior staff at the country’s largest independent news site, which has been forced to close.