Zinaida Hanchar, Ulliana Zakharanka, and Volha Zavadskaya Make Statement Regarding Plans of Belarus to Have Representative in UN Human Rights Council

Non-governmental organizations, representatives of pro-democratic movements, and citizens of Belarus are indignant at the intention of the Belarus government to join the UN Human Rights Council.

Following the appeal of the Human Rights Center Viasna to the international community, the families of the disappeared politicians and the journalist made their own statement.

In particular, Zinaida Hanchar, Ulliana Zakharanka, and Volha Zavadskaya state: “during many years we know nothing about the fate of our husbands and sons, there is practically no official investigation of the disappearances. We think the absence of any results of the investigation is grounded on a lack of interest of the Belarusian authorities in the investigation of the crimes. That only reinforces our supposition about participation of top officials of Belarus in the crime. The demand for an unbiased and overall investigation of the cases about forced disappearances…was repeatedly stressed in resolutions of the UN General Assembly. The government of the Republic of Belarus persistently ignores these demands. We assess these actions of the Belarusian authorities not only as a desire to hide the real organizers and executors of the abductions of our family members, but also as failure to recognize the authority of the United Nations Organization”.

The women urge not to allow Belarus have a representative in the UN Human Rights Council until the state fulfills its obligations not only before it s citizens but also before the international community.

We remind you that the Human Rights Center Viasna appeals to all interested parties with a request to express their opinion about this initiative of the Belarusian authorities.