ARTICLE 19 thanks the Group of Independent Experts for their comprehensive report, which once again details the extreme and systemic violations of international human rights law with complete impunity in Belarus. States must now champion the work of the Group of Experts and do more to ensure justice.
While 2025 saw the release of some journalists and human rights defenders in the country, this does not signal a relaxation of repression, but rather a revolving-door approach characterised by prolonged pre-trial detentions, repeated re-arrests, or the threat of renewed prosecution. This is a deliberate approach to create a climate of fear among civil society in the country.
As the Group of Experts show in their report, however, those in exile are also not safe from the grip of the regime. Belarus is a leader in transnational repression, in particular by opening criminal cases against journalists and human rights defenders in exile and weaponising international police cooperation through Interpol red notices and extradition requests. The aim is to discredit exiled journalists and human rights defenders and isolate them through travel restrictions.
We also note how funding cuts to the human rights ecosystem – first instigated by the United States, and now many other governments worldwide – are having detrimental impacts on Belarusian media outlets, which may lead to some completely ceding their vital work.
ARTICLE 19 encourages States to do more to ensure justice for these extreme and systemic human rights violations in Belarus, including by potentially initiating investigations under the principle of universal jurisdictions to hold those responsible to account. We also express support for Lithuania’s referral to the International Criminal Court requesting an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed by Belarus.
We also urge relevant States to take all measures to prevent, investigate, and ensure accountability for all acts of transnational repression against exiled Belarusian journalists and human rights defenders on their territory.