The United Nations Human Rights Council is preparing for appointments of independent UN experts on the Council. Mandate holders will be appointed during the 57th session of the Council (September 9 — October 9, 2024). In particular, applications for the position of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus were open, requiring individual applications including a cover letter, until June 27, 2024.
Ultimately, the Council presented several candidates for the mandate. The list of candidates includes:
Wolfgang BENEDEK (Austria). A lawyer, professor at the University of Graz. "Since preparing my report on alleged human rights violations related to the presidential elections in Belarus in 2020 as the sole rapporteur within the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, published on November 5, 2020, this topic has remained significant to me. During my mission, I established contacts with all major actors in this field, and this network still exists. After presenting my report at the OSCE Permanent Council, I was also invited to present my findings at various international and national forums. One of my report's recommendations led to the creation of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), a coalition of international and local human rights NGOs for the professional documentation of major human rights violations in Belarus to ensure future accountability... I understand that due to other human rights crises, such as Ukraine or Gaza, the situation in Belarus has lost international attention. I believe that the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus can counter this trend by providing high-quality reports on key human rights issues in Belarus."
Khalid CHERKAOUI SEMMOUNI (Morocco). He is a human rights defender and researcher. The word "Belarus" does not appear once in his application. The nominating organizations are the Moroccan Center for Human Rights and the National Center for combating Violence and Abuse on children. "Members of the executive branch advised me to apply because I am an expert in the field of human rights and skilled at monitoring cases of discrimination and violence against women, girls, and children. ... In terms of protection from violence and discrimination based on gender, I possess the necessary knowledge and experience. I also have in-depth knowledge and experience in providing assistance, support, and recommendations in developing and implementing policies and programs related to discrimination, gender violence, and violence against women, girls, and children in Morocco and other countries."
Sergey GOLUBOK (Russian Federation) is a Russian attorney and international law specialist. "I have successfully represented individuals in human rights violation cases heard in national courts in Russia and Belarus, in the European Court of Human Rights, and in treaty bodies such as the Human Rights Committee and the Committee Against Torture. ... Russian, widely used in Belarus, is my native language, and I understand Belarusian ... I would like to focus on local realities and the courageous actions of Belarusians, who deserve impartial but sympathetic coverage, documentation, and proper legal evaluation. I am ready to call a spade a spade, even if it may be inconvenient for some. If appointed, I would prioritize victims, especially vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, women and girls, and the elderly. ... I plan to establish communication channels with Belarusian civil society groups and independent media, as well as with businesses, which can play a crucial role in achieving significant impact and long-term changes in addressing existing human rights violations and preventing new ones."
Ryszard KOMENDA (Poland) is a human rights lawyer. "I plan to implement the Special Rapporteur mandate in accordance with the code of conduct for mandate holders, including through the following:
Julia LAFFRANQUE (Estonia), former Judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Supreme Court of Estonia. "I have extensive experience as a scholar in the field of international human rights and as a judge at the ECHR, as well as at the national Supreme court and Constitutional court. ... My significant advantage is that I can easily grasp the global picture, using a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach. I can view legal aspects with the necessary empathy, fairness, honesty, and integrity. I have the ability to communicate with people and the media, explaining complex things in simple words... The credibility and trust in the Special Rapporteur are a challenge and a responsibility. It affects the trust in the entire UN human rights protection mechanism, which today needs to be especially strong, robust, and reliable... Human rights issues often represent very personal voices/stories. The Special Rapporteur needs to collect and analyze them and propose realistic actions to improve the situation and the overall culture of human rights in Belarus".
Nils Muižnieks (Latvia), political scientist, Commissioner of the Council of Europe, international institutions expert. "I have than 25 years of experience in human rights, including roles as the European Regional Director for Amnesty International, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, co-rapporteur on UNHRC resolution 38/18, member and chair of the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance, and director of a human rights NGO from 1994 to 2002. I publish extensively, English is one of my native languages, and I am proficient in French and Russian. ... I have collaborated with Belarusian human rights defenders as a commissioner and president of the Council of Europe's Association of Schools of Political Studies. ... I am highly motivated to take on this mandate because I am firmly convinced of the need to contribute to improving the human rights situation in Belarus, a country neighboring my own, Latvia. It has always seemed anomalous to me that Belarus is isolated from its Western neighbors and unable/unwilling to take advantage of the opportunities inherent in fuller cooperation with European and international institutions. ... My vision for the mandate involves intensive work with a full range of stakeholders, including the Belarusian authorities, neighboring states, the UN Human Rights Council, and other UN divisions, civil society organizations, and other international organizations Belarus is a party to (e.g., OSCE). I will do everything possible to engage in constructive dialogue with the authorities while remaining principled and candid on emerging human rights issues".
Dethié SALL (Mauritania). Human rights lawyer, worked at the OHCHR and other human rights institutions. "My professional experience, skills in the field of human rights, and work as the secretary of the National Human Rights Commission of Mauritania and as a human rights officer at BHCDH in Mauritania lead me to believe that I am exceptionally suited for this position. ... As the general secretary of the NHRC, I am fully aware of the challenges associated with promoting human rights in a complex political and social context. As an independent expert, I am determined to work towards advancing the cause of human rights in the country. My passion, experience, and ability to collaborate with various stakeholders will allow me to make a significant contribution to the protection of human rights in Belarus."
Ultimately, the Council presented several candidates for the mandate. The list of candidates includes:
Wolfgang BENEDEK (Austria). A lawyer, professor at the University of Graz. "Since preparing my report on alleged human rights violations related to the presidential elections in Belarus in 2020 as the sole rapporteur within the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, published on November 5, 2020, this topic has remained significant to me. During my mission, I established contacts with all major actors in this field, and this network still exists. After presenting my report at the OSCE Permanent Council, I was also invited to present my findings at various international and national forums. One of my report's recommendations led to the creation of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), a coalition of international and local human rights NGOs for the professional documentation of major human rights violations in Belarus to ensure future accountability... I understand that due to other human rights crises, such as Ukraine or Gaza, the situation in Belarus has lost international attention. I believe that the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus can counter this trend by providing high-quality reports on key human rights issues in Belarus."
Khalid CHERKAOUI SEMMOUNI (Morocco). He is a human rights defender and researcher. The word "Belarus" does not appear once in his application. The nominating organizations are the Moroccan Center for Human Rights and the National Center for combating Violence and Abuse on children. "Members of the executive branch advised me to apply because I am an expert in the field of human rights and skilled at monitoring cases of discrimination and violence against women, girls, and children. ... In terms of protection from violence and discrimination based on gender, I possess the necessary knowledge and experience. I also have in-depth knowledge and experience in providing assistance, support, and recommendations in developing and implementing policies and programs related to discrimination, gender violence, and violence against women, girls, and children in Morocco and other countries."
Sergey GOLUBOK (Russian Federation) is a Russian attorney and international law specialist. "I have successfully represented individuals in human rights violation cases heard in national courts in Russia and Belarus, in the European Court of Human Rights, and in treaty bodies such as the Human Rights Committee and the Committee Against Torture. ... Russian, widely used in Belarus, is my native language, and I understand Belarusian ... I would like to focus on local realities and the courageous actions of Belarusians, who deserve impartial but sympathetic coverage, documentation, and proper legal evaluation. I am ready to call a spade a spade, even if it may be inconvenient for some. If appointed, I would prioritize victims, especially vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, women and girls, and the elderly. ... I plan to establish communication channels with Belarusian civil society groups and independent media, as well as with businesses, which can play a crucial role in achieving significant impact and long-term changes in addressing existing human rights violations and preventing new ones."
Ryszard KOMENDA (Poland) is a human rights lawyer. "I plan to implement the Special Rapporteur mandate in accordance with the code of conduct for mandate holders, including through the following:
- Analyzing the situation in Belarus regarding the protection of international human rights using all available sources of information, including conducting field missions. Specifically, I plan to carry out the Special Rapporteur mandate as follows:
- Advising on measures to be taken by the Government, international community, civil society organizations, and other partners.
- Providing an early warning function of the Special Rapporteur and linking this function with providing recommendations to the Human Rights Council and other partners on practical preventive measures.
- Advocating on behalf of victims of violations through measures such as demanding urgent action and urging governments to respond to specific allegations of human rights violations and ensure possible compensation."
Julia LAFFRANQUE (Estonia), former Judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the Supreme Court of Estonia. "I have extensive experience as a scholar in the field of international human rights and as a judge at the ECHR, as well as at the national Supreme court and Constitutional court. ... My significant advantage is that I can easily grasp the global picture, using a multidimensional and interdisciplinary approach. I can view legal aspects with the necessary empathy, fairness, honesty, and integrity. I have the ability to communicate with people and the media, explaining complex things in simple words... The credibility and trust in the Special Rapporteur are a challenge and a responsibility. It affects the trust in the entire UN human rights protection mechanism, which today needs to be especially strong, robust, and reliable... Human rights issues often represent very personal voices/stories. The Special Rapporteur needs to collect and analyze them and propose realistic actions to improve the situation and the overall culture of human rights in Belarus".
Nils Muižnieks (Latvia), political scientist, Commissioner of the Council of Europe, international institutions expert. "I have than 25 years of experience in human rights, including roles as the European Regional Director for Amnesty International, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, co-rapporteur on UNHRC resolution 38/18, member and chair of the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance, and director of a human rights NGO from 1994 to 2002. I publish extensively, English is one of my native languages, and I am proficient in French and Russian. ... I have collaborated with Belarusian human rights defenders as a commissioner and president of the Council of Europe's Association of Schools of Political Studies. ... I am highly motivated to take on this mandate because I am firmly convinced of the need to contribute to improving the human rights situation in Belarus, a country neighboring my own, Latvia. It has always seemed anomalous to me that Belarus is isolated from its Western neighbors and unable/unwilling to take advantage of the opportunities inherent in fuller cooperation with European and international institutions. ... My vision for the mandate involves intensive work with a full range of stakeholders, including the Belarusian authorities, neighboring states, the UN Human Rights Council, and other UN divisions, civil society organizations, and other international organizations Belarus is a party to (e.g., OSCE). I will do everything possible to engage in constructive dialogue with the authorities while remaining principled and candid on emerging human rights issues".
Dethié SALL (Mauritania). Human rights lawyer, worked at the OHCHR and other human rights institutions. "My professional experience, skills in the field of human rights, and work as the secretary of the National Human Rights Commission of Mauritania and as a human rights officer at BHCDH in Mauritania lead me to believe that I am exceptionally suited for this position. ... As the general secretary of the NHRC, I am fully aware of the challenges associated with promoting human rights in a complex political and social context. As an independent expert, I am determined to work towards advancing the cause of human rights in the country. My passion, experience, and ability to collaborate with various stakeholders will allow me to make a significant contribution to the protection of human rights in Belarus."
