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Belarus Dogged by Crackdown on Protesters as UN Human Rights Review Begins

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - Belarus's human rights record is in the spotlight as the U.N.
   Human Rights Council begins its Universal Periodic Review of nations'
   rights records. Belarus has come under intense criticism for its
   crackdown on demonstrators who have challenged the outcome of last
   August's presidential elections.

   This is the third time since the review process began in 2008 that
   Belarus's human rights record has come under scrutiny. The meeting was
   aimed at taking stock of developments that have occurred in the country
   since the previous reviews.

   The head of the Belarus delegation was unable to prevent nations
   attending the meeting from fixating on the violent events, which
   followed August's allegedly rigged presidential elections.

   Belarus's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Yuri Ambrazevich, said his
   government has spoken publicly on this subject several times. The
   ambassador spoke through an interpreter.

   "In that connection, I would like to appeal to all participants today
   not to turn the UPR on Belarus only into a discussion of the
   post-election events'¦Belarus wishes, has the will and has the
   necessary instruments itself peacefully to restore civility in society
   on the basis of a balance of interests of our society as a whole," said
   Ambrazevich.

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