STATEMENT as delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith,
Permanent Representative of Norway
4 December 2020
Check against delivery
Thank you, Madame President.
The human rights situation in Belarus is intolerable. Four months after the flawed presidential election we are still witnessing serious human rights abuses by the security forces against peaceful protesters.
The repression and abuses must stop. We repeat our call for a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of people in detention.
The Belarusian authorities are pursuing the road of repression, not dialogue. This will only lead to greater divisions and animosity. We call on the government to change course and engage in a serious dialogue with the protesters, civil society and the political opposition.
The international community stands ready to assist in solving the crisis, but the government is still refusing international offers of mediation. The Belarusian government's preference for repression over dialogue is to blame for the current crisis and human rights abuses. We strongly urge the government to change its failed approach.
We support all peaceful efforts to end the crisis, and we will continue to support a democratic, independent, sovereign, prosperous and stable Belarus.
Thank you.