STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 46th Session.
Enhanced ID on HC report on Belarus (res. 45/1)
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway
Thank you, Madame President,
Madame High Commissioner,
We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating conditions for democracy, civil society and political opposition in Belarus and we express deep regret that the Belarusian government has made little effort to end the systemic denials of the human rights of the country's citizens.
Norway calls on the Belarusian authorities to stop the violence and initiate an open and inclusive dialogue with representatives of civil society, academia and the general public, aimed at the fulfilment of the fundamental rights of the people of Belarus.
We call for the unconditional release of political prisoners and others who have been arbitrarily detained or otherwise unlawfully deprived of their liberty, including members of the opposition, human rights defenders, journalists, media workers and civil society activists.
We support all efforts to peacefully end the crisis and will continue to support the Belarusian people in their pursuit of democracy and fight against oppression.
Thank you.