UN experts have expressed concern over a law adopted in Belarus that introduces administrative liability for “disseminating in any form information aimed at creating among citizens an impression of the attractiveness of homosexual relations, gender transition, childlessness or the acceptability of paedophilia”.
The adopted law will lead to the institutionalisation of discrimination and a significant increase in the risks of repression, the UN experts said.
“This law represents a dangerous escalation. It equates legitimate human rights advocacy with an administrative offence and risks further legitimising persecution against already marginalised groups and defenders of their rights,” the experts said in a statement.
The experts stressed that the law is misleading because it links lawful expression with criminal acts such as paedophilia, reinforcing stigma and hostility. They believe the vague and overly broad wording of the law could lead to arbitrary enforcement and a further narrowing of civic space.
“By conflating human rights advocacy and information about sexual orientation, gender identity and reproductive autonomy with administrative offences, the authorities are fuelling prejudice and legitimising discrimination,” the experts said.
“These measures may also disproportionately affect women, and their sexual and reproductive health rights, indispensable to their autonomy and dignity and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other human rights. Belarus has an obligation to respect, protect and fulfil women’s and girls’ rights to make free and informed choices about sexuality and reproduction, without violence, coercion or stigma,” the statement said.
The experts also expressed concern over transgender people’s access to medical treatment.
In addition, the adopted law introduces administrative liability for the “unlawful representation of the Republic of Belarus at international events”.
The UN experts believe that this provision may be aimed at political activists and human rights defenders, including those who engage with the UN and other international and regional human rights mechanisms. They warned that such measures could qualify as reprisals and could lead to violations of freedom of expression, association and participation.
“Belarus must halt enactment of the law, repeal discriminatory provisions and ensure its legislation’s and law-enforcement practice’s full compliance with international human rights standards,” the experts said.
