Ales Bialiatski: It Is Important For Belarus To Remain In The Focus Of International Attention

• 12.03.2026, 15:22

The human rights situation in the country is deteriorating.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and chairman of the Human Rights Center "Viasna" Ales Bialiatski during his first international visit after his release spoke at the side-event of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 11, 2026, reports the Human Rights Center "Viasna".

The event was organized by the permanent missions of Lithuania, Poland, Norway and Sweden to the UN. The side-event was also attended by a representative of the Group of Independent Experts on the situation of human rights in Belarus Susan Basili, former political prisoner Anna Kuris, a representative of the international human rights organization Anastasia Kruope, representatives of the international community, including ambassadors of different countries. The meeting was moderated by Vytis Yurkonis from Freedom House

"This is my first international visit," said Ales Bialiatski during his speech. - During the side-event I emphasized that Belarus needs both the Group of Independent Experts on the human rights situation in Belarus and the Special Rapporteur on Belarus.

Even in times of numerous crises in the world, it is important for Belarus to remain in the focus of international attention, as the human rights situation in the country is deteriorating. Every day we record new cases of political repression, more and more political prisoners appear. Therefore, it is important to systematically continue working at the international level, including documenting all violations, so that it could be useful in bringing the perpetrators to justice.