Human Rights Council – 49th session

Interactive Dialogue OHCHR Report on Belarus

17 March 2022

Australian Statement

Australia thanks the High Commissioner for her report.

Australia strongly condemns the Belarusian Government’s role in aiding and assisting Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Belarus is complicit in Russia’s act of aggression and accordingly has international responsibility for violating the prohibition on the use of force and international human rights law.

We strongly urge Belarus to stop allowing Russia to launch attacks from Belarus. Australia, has imposed significant sanctions to inflict severe costs on those responsible. These include targeted financial sanctions and travel bans on key individuals and entities in the Belarusian Government and defence industry. We will continue to coordinate with partners to target individuals and entities providing support for Russia’s aggression.

We note with deep concern ICAO’s recent report which concluded Belarusian authorities have failed to produce any evidence that could justify the military interception and landing of Ryanair Flight FR4978 in Minsk in May 2021.

Australia calls for the immediate release of all people arbitrarily detained for exercising their legitimate rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of association. 

High Commissioner,what additional accountability mechanisms could the international community could implement in response to the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus.