Belarus
50^th Session of the UPR Working Group
Monday 3 November, 09:00-12:30

Speaking time: 70 seconds

Statement by Iceland (no 98 of 106)

Mr. President,

Iceland welcomes the delegation of Belarus and its national report.

In the spirit of constructive engagement, Iceland recommends the following:

1. Ensure full respect for democratic principles by guaranteeing free and fair elections, safeguarding the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and releasing all political prisoners immediately.
2. Abolish the death penalty and ratify the Second optional protocol to the ICCPR.
3. Adopt specific legislation that addresses all forms of GBV.
4. Criminalize marital rape.
5. Provide comprehensive access to quality sexual and reproductive health services across the country.
6. Develop, enact, and enforce comprehensive legislation that criminalizes all forms of discrimination against persons of diverse SOGIESC.
7. Ensure the protection of defenders of human rights of SOGIESC persons from persecution, and reverse the policy of liquidation of CSOs.

I wish Belarus all success for its review.

I thank you.