{"id":183741,"date":"2026-04-15T13:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T10:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/183741\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:11:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T11:11:19","slug":"un-rights-committee-urges-minsk-to-protect-freedom-of-expression","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/183741\/","title":{"rendered":"UN rights committee urges Minsk to protect freedom of expression"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (cookie studio \/ freepik.com)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

April 15, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Belarus has been systematically violating the right to freedom of expression, the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) concluded in its March decision on several complaints from Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By punishing individuals for disseminating information without journalistic accreditation, Minsk violated several articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Belarus is a party, including the citizens\u2019 rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to a fair trial, it noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone has the right to speak and disseminate information, the HRC stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ruling covers approximately 20 cases. Journalists Ta\u0107ciana Smotkina, Kastu\u015b \u017duko\u016dski, Natalla Kryva\u0161ej, Ja\u016dhien Mierkis, Larysa \u0160\u010dyrakova, Tamara \u0160capiotkina and Alena \u0160abunia were among those who submitted complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HRC recommended that Belarus compensate them by refunding the paid fines and reimbursing legal costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belarus is \u201cunder an obligation to take all steps necessary to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future,\u201d the ruling noted, urging Minsk to ensure that legislation, in particular regulating the media and organization of public events, complies with the country\u2019s obligations under the ICCPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"