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Belarus: Rights experts denounce withdrawal from key environmental agreement |

The Aarhus Conventionadopted in 1998, also requires that individuals exercising these rights be free from arrest, punishment, or harassment for doing so.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a decree on July 18 that came into effect ending the country’s participation. The withdrawal is scheduled to take effect on 24 October, consistent with article 21 of the Convention.

Strengthen rights, ensure compliance

In condemning this move, UN experts note that the Aarhus Convention has been remarkably successful in promoting access, sustainable development and environmental democracy.

They say it is a leading example among international instruments of fulfilling human rights obligations related to environmental protection, in particular the right to information, public participation and justice. .

“Key to the success of the Aarhus Convention is the work of its Compliance Committee, including the ability of members of the public to bring alleged cases of non-compliance with the Convention before the Commission. ban,” they added.

Arrest and Harassment

According to experts, the Compliance Committee is a non-confrontational, non-trivial and consultative mechanism, and its findings have significantly promoted the implementation of the Convention.

They recall that since 2014, the Commission has been scrutinizing Belarus’ behavior in relation to the arrest, punishment and harassment of environmental rights defenders. Members have also worked to assist the country in addressing non-compliance.

Despite this, the Committee recognizes that Belarus has not yet addressed its recommendations and expresses grave concern that the situation of environmental human rights defenders there is rapidly deteriorating.

Soon after, the Commission found that the August 2021 liquidation of an environmental NGO was an incident of arrest, punishment and harassment.

Due to the dire situation, the remaining States Parties to the Convention have suspended the rights and privileges accorded to Belarus.

Increase commitment

The United Nations experts stated that States not satisfied with the outcome of the cases decided by the Compliance Committee should not withdraw from the Convention. Instead, they should strengthen their commitment to human rights, sustainable development and environmental democracy.

“Countries need to take concrete measures to ensure effective access to information, public participation and justice, and this includes ensuring a safe environment,” the experts said. safe and conducive environment for human rights defenders and all other representatives of civil society”.

“Protecting environmental human rights defenders from violations by both the State and non-state organizations is vital to the protection of the environment and the human rights that depend on it.” .

About UN experts

Seven experts who made the statement have been appointed by the UN Dong Nhan Quyen Associationlocated in Geneva.

These Special Rapporteurs have been tasked with monitoring and reporting on country-specific situations or thematic issues, such as the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. Queen.

The professionals serve in their own capacity and are not employees of the United Nations, nor are they paid for their work.

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