Summary

The present report provides an overview of major human rights developments in Belarus between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. The information provided in the report demonstrates that the presidential elections held on 26 January 2025 cannot be considered compliant with the right to vote and to be elected in genuine periodic elections, as guaranteed under article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights owing to ongoing politically motivated repression and a complete crackdown on freedom of expression, assembly and association. The report examines severe ill-treatment in detention facilities and the growing trends of transboundary repression through trials held in absentia, collective punishment of families, indefinite extensions of the deprivation of liberty for individuals convicted on politically motivated charges, restrictions on the human rights of former prisoners and the misuse of counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation for political repression. While the recent release by Belarus of over 200 prisoners who are recognized as political prisoners by human rights defenders is a welcome development, the Special Rapporteur finds no indication of an overall improvement in the state of civil and political rights in the country.