UN Committee: Torture is a "systematic practice" in Belarus.

Torture victim and detainee Artem Pronin (center) at a protest against police violence in Minsk on August 15, 2020. Photo: Reuters.

The use of torture is a systematic practice in Belarus. This is stated in the annual report of the UN Committee Against Torture.

The report contains the results of a confidential investigation into the policies of the Belarusian authorities regarding detainees and prison inmates. The authors of the document reached an "irrefutable conclusion" that the use of torture is a systematic practice in Belarus.

The investigation began in September 2020 when two non-governmental organizations submitted a document to the Committee titled "Statement on the Need to Investigate the Systematic Use of Torture in the Republic of Belarus."

In July 2021, the Committee confirmed that the information received was credible and contained well-founded conclusions.

In 2022, Committee members exchanged letters and held a series of meetings with the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the UN. In July 2022, a confidential investigation was launched. In 2023, there was an exchange of views between the Committee and the government of Belarus.

The conclusions of the Committee Against Torture will be presented to the UN General Assembly.

The Committee Against Torture consists of ten independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by State Parties. All State Parties to the Convention are required to regularly submit reports to the Committee on the implementation of relevant rights.