Immediate action needed to end torture

Belarus' disturbing human rights record was once again in the international spotlight yesterday afternoon, as the UN Committee presentedthe conclusions and recommendations of its four-yearly review of Belarus.

"The Committee's findings on the overall human rights situation inBelarus testify to the extent which basic human rights have been trampledon in the country in past years," Amnesty International stated today."Belarus should draw the necessary lessons from the Committee's damningreport and take immediate steps to put human rights back on the country'sagenda."

The Geneva-based UN Committee expressed concern about the overalldeterioration of the human rights situation since Belarus' last review in1992. It stated that there were numerous continuing allegations of tortureand other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment - particularly affectingpolitical opponents of the government and peaceful demonstrators.

Amnesty International has received numerous reports of human rightsviolations, including the possible "disappearances" of leading oppositionfigures, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of peaceful protestors.

Amnesty International has for many years documented human rightsviolations in Belarus, which were often committed with impunity. Theorganization has recorded a pattern of failure of officials to conductprompt, impartial and full investigations into the many allegations oftorture reported to the authorities, and to prosecute alleged perpetrators.To date the organization knows of no single incident when the perpetratorshave been brought to justice.

With regard to the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators the UNCommittee calls for urgent and effective steps to establish prompt,impartial and full investigations into the many allegations of torturereported to the authorities. The Committee also presses for the creation ofan independent and impartial national human rights commission toinvestigate all complaints of human rights violations, and to effectivelypromote human rights.

"If Belarus' President, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, hopes to salvage hiscountry's battered human rights image abroad, he should take immediateaction to implement the Committee's recommendations," said AmnestyInternational.

Amnesty International welcomes the Committee's recommendations whichappear to be designed to engender greater transparency and accountabilityon the part of the Belarusian authorities and to open up their behaviour toexternal scrutiny.

"There can be little doubt that the Committee against Torture'sconcerns and recommendations indicate there is much to be done in Belarus.The Belarusian authorities should see the Committee's report as anopportunity to take the country forward away from their regressive humanrights practices of the present and recent past."