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The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on the events in Belarus, in which it asked the Minsk official to enter into negotiations with the political opposition. The Russian delegation presented 17 amendments to the document, all of them were rejected.
The UN Human Rights Council adopted on September 18 a resolution on the situation in Belarus, 23 delegations voted in favor, two against (Eritrea and Venezuela), 22 abstained. This was reported by the press service of the city council.
The UN calls on the Belarusian authorities to enter into a dialogue with the political opposition, including the opposition coordinating council, as well as to comply with international law obligations on freedom of peaceful assembly, prohibition of torture and other forms of mistreatment, freedom of opinion and expression.
The resolution was submitted by Germany on behalf of the European Union. During the examination of the document, the Russian delegation tabled 17 amendments, all of which were rejected.
Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya spoke at the meeting via video link. Representatives from Belarus, Russia, China and Venezuela stated that the UN Human Rights Council violated the format of the debates and demanded not to show Tikhanovskaya’s video message. However, the other council members did not see any violations.
Mass protests have been going on in Belarus since August 9. The protesters believe the results of the presidential elections are falsified and are demanding re-elections. According to official data, current President Alexander Lukashenko won with 80.1% of the voters. Opposition candidate Tikhanovskaya came in second with 10.1% of the vote. At the same time, alternative exit polls showed the opposite picture: Tikhanovskaya’s confident victory.
The Belarusian security forces violently dispersed the demonstrations, in particular with the use of stun grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons.
During the protests, more than 10,000 protesters were arrested and hundreds were injured and wounded. According to official figures, four protesters died.
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