Русский / English

The events of the past two days in Belarus clearly show that the current political regime of this country has nothing common with human rights and democracy. The government blocked the national segment of the Internet. Most people are scared to leave their households and those who dare to come out risk their lives. Unarmed people are being brutally beaten and killed by masked policemen and military for a mere peaceful protest. Even those who don’t take part in the protests suffer the same.

The international community abandoned the people of Belarus. It is an emergency situation and a humanitarian crisis equal to many violent political crises, i.e. Kenyan post-election violence of 2007-2008. The difference is that there are no international observers; no International Criminal Court or any other international tribunal, and there is no power to stop the violence that comes from the government, which is obliged to protect the citizens. The widespread violence following the elections is a major humanitarian crisis that demands the international community to get involved in the situation.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and every major international human rights instrument stipulates a number of rights that shall always be observed and never limited under any circumstance. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. The government of Belarus is currently violating these and many other basic principles of human rights. Those responsible for this violence shall be brought to justice, but what is currently more important, the violence must be stopped.

We, the undersigned, address this petition to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the representatives of the members of the United Nations Security Council to call a Security Council meeting on the situation in Belarus.