Belarus
Ales Bialiatski: UN Working Group opinion and current status
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that his deprivation of liberty "is arbitrary and falls within category II", contrary to article 20(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It said the adequate remedy was his release with an enforceable right to compensation. AP reported on 19 July 2024 that the Working Group had again called for his release in relation to his later detention.1,2
Category II
Government position
The Government replied on 31 October 2011 and 22 May 2012. It said the detention rested on Belarusian criminal law, was not arbitrary and was not related to his work as a human rights defender, and argued that the Working Group had no basis to continue considering the case.1
Background
According to the 2012 opinion, Mr. Bialiatski, founder of the Human Rights Centre Viasna, was detained on 4 August 2011 and charged with tax evasion over funds the source said were donations for Viasna. On 24 November 2011 the Pervomaiski District Court sentenced him to four and a half years.1
Status now
Released on 13 December 2025 among 123 prisoners freed by Belarus in an agreement with the United States, and taken to Lithuania, per Reuters and ABC News.3,4
As of 14 December 2025.
Sources
- University of Minnesota Human Rights Library (copy of UN document), Opinion No. 39/2012 (Belarus), A/HRC/WGAD/2012/39, full text mirror (31 August 2012)
- Associated Press (via ABC17), UN panel calls on Belarus to release Nobel Peace laureate from prison (19 July 2024)
- Reuters (via RNZ), Lukashenko frees Nobel winner Bialiatski and key Belarus opposition figures in deal with US (14 December 2025)
- ABC News (Good Morning America), Belarus releases 123 prisoners in agreement with US, including Nobel Prize winner and opposition leader (13 December 2025)