Reports of violence against women in Belarus, including sexual abuse and rape, received by UN human rights experts, are
deeply concerning, the UN women’s rights committee said on Thursday. The Committee also underlined how women voices are
not marginal, but central in political processes.
In a statement, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) said it stood with women who have bravely defended their own and others’ human rights in Belarus.
“Women’s hand-holding in protest is a strong and vital symbol,” the Committee said. Several thousand of women, mostly
dressed in white and waving flowers, marched through the center of Minsk on 29 August in the protest against Belarusian
President Alexander Lukashenko.
“It is widely recognized that the continuing fight for democracy in Belarus has a female face. Women are among some
6,700 protesters arrested by Belarusian police in the last few weeks,” the Committee continued.
Belarusian women have formed the “Women in White movement” and taken to the streets to protest against police brutality
as well as the disputed presidential elections since early August. They waved flowers and flags to show their solidarity
and demanded that their votes be correctly counted.
“Women have also shown incredible personal courage, including 73-year-old Nina Bahinskaya who fought fiercely against
officials who tried to block her from waving a Belarusian national white-red-white flag during the protests,” said the
Committee. “Belarusian journalist Alena Scharbinskaya was reportedly arrested and beaten inside a detention center in
Minsk. Lilija Vlasava, a member of the Belarusian Coordination Council's Presidium, was arrested on 31 August.” it
added.
“Women play a critical role in political processes across the world. Women’s voices are not marginal but central in
calling for environmental rights, social inclusion and equal public participation,” the Committee stressed.
“Gender equality is critical in all States parties to the Convention. However, a lack of political will precludes women
in Belarus and elsewhere from enjoying equality with men,” the Committee said.
The Committee emphasized that a free, democratic, participatory and inclusive election process that fully respects
women’s rights and is free from flaws or coercion is crucial in any country.