Madame Chair,
Violence against peaceful protesters and human rights defenders cannot be accepted. So far, those responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, since the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus last year, have not been held to account.
Norway supports the establishment of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus, an initiative to collect and preserve documentation and evidence of serious violations of human rights committed in Belarus. The evidence collected by the platform can serve future independent criminal investigations and proceedings contributing to accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims in Belarus.
We urge, yet again, the Belarusian authorities to end the violence and use of force and live up to its international commitments.
Thank you