UN experts allege Belarusian courts and security forces systematically suppress Lukashenko critics

A UN Group of Independent Experts presented a report to the Human Rights Council alleging that, from 2020 onward, Belarusian state institutions have coordinated to repress critics of President Alexander Lukashenko. The panel cited coordinated actions by courts, police, security services, prosecutors and prison officials, resulting in arbitrary arrests, torture, denial of legal safeguards, closed trials and persistent harassment of released detainees.

The experts said these patterns persist and that the judiciary legitimises the abuses, denying victims effective remedies. Belarus' mission to the Council did not comment, and the country has declined invitations for the experts to visit or engage with authorities. The report also warned that some violations could amount to crimes against humanity, specifically persecution and imprisonment, echoing earlier findings about the crackdown following the disputed August 2020 election.