What Special Procedures of the UN system to contact regarding the facts of human rights violations?
20 August 2020
For all facts of human rights violations, citizens of Belarus can apply to the Special Procedures of the United Nations system.
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in OHCHR
Key functions: to investigate cases of deprivation of liberty imposed arbitrarily or otherwise inconsistently with the relevant international standards, to seek and receive information from Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations as well as from the individuals concerned, their families or their representatives.
Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Key functions: reports on violations, as well as discrimination, threats or use of violence, harassment, persecution, intimidation or reprisals directed at persons exercising these rights.
Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Key function: transmitting urgent appeals to States with regard to individuals reported to be at risk of torture, as well as communications on past alleged cases of torture;
In addition, the information can be submitted to Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus – the position is currently occupied by Ms. Anaïs Marin.
Key function: monitoring the situation of human rights in Belarus, collecting the data on human rights violations, assisting in fulfilling the recommendations on human rights;
The appeals to the above bodies should contain the facts confirming human rights violations and be clear and well-grounded. Therefore it is important to document all the events that happened to the victims.
Following consideration of the appeals the OHCHR Special Procedures bodies acknowledge the facts of violation of the international human rights obligations by the state.
Out colleagues in the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Belarus are ready to provide consultations to the applicants on their appeals to these bodies and to provide additional information.