Overview of Human Rights in Belarus

After more than 70 years as a part of the former Soviet Union, Belarus gained its independence in 1991. Since independence, the government has worked to consolidate presidential power by systemically undermining the country's democratic institutions and passing undemocratic laws and regulations. Indeed, since independence, the human rights record of Belarus has steadily declined.

The government of Belarus is accused of functioning in ways contrary to international laws and norms. Numerous complaints have been registered. For example, the government denies its citizens the right to change the government through free and fair elections, suppresses opposition political parties through extrajudicial measures, and interferes with the internal affairs of ethnic minority organizations. The government has also closed several independent media outlets, harassed journalists and members of independent unions, and failed to account for the disappearance of several opposition party figures and journalists who "disappeared" in recent years.

Peaceful protestors are often harassed and some are detained because they choose to exercise their supposed freedoms of assembly and expression. Arbitrary arrest and detention of dissenters, lack of judicial independence, and accounts of police and prison official brutality, are also areas of concern. Societal discrimination against the Roma (Gypsy) community and homosexuals is tacitly endorsed by the government as well. 

Note: In 2007, Belarus failed to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.  Given the country's dubious record of human rights, this development was hailed as a necessary development within the international community and maintained the council's credibility.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

67th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.