Spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Liz Throssel

Location: Geneva

Dated: March 01, 2022

With regard to Belarus, where constitutional changes have been submitted to a national referendum, we understand that many of those arrested on Sunday in several cities are placed in administrative detention for up to two weeks or risk significant fines.

The Interior Ministry said some 800 people had been arrested. Local human rights defenders say they have received reports of some 744 detentions in the capital, Minsk, and other major cities. Among the arrests were people chanting “no war” and expressing support for Ukraine, as well as criticizing the government’s lack of transparency and consultations ahead of the referendum.

We call on the Belarusian authorities to respect people’s right to freedom of expression and assembly. All those detained for peacefully expressing their opinions must be released immediately.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or
Ravina Shamdasani – + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

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