UN condemns human rights violations in Belarus

UN human rights chief blasted Belarus during a debate Friday for alleged rights violations by Belarusian authorities under President Alexander Lukashenko.

"We are witnessing thousands of arrests, hundreds of reports of torture and or ill treatment, including sexual violence and reported torture of children," UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said in remarks delivered by her deputy, referring to a police crackdown in Belarus on post-election protests as well as alleged actions from a dece ago.

"Armed police and security personnel are being deployed in a near systematic pattern of unnecessary or excessive use of force against largely peaceful demonstrators," she ded.

Svitalana Tsikhanauskaya, a presidential candidate in election from opposition who has since fled to Lithuania over fears for her safety, dressed 47-member-nation council from Lithuania in a video recording.

" scope and brutality of extensive force used by regime is in clear violation of all international rms and universal declaration of human rights, opted by United Nations and Belarus as its founding member," she said.

"We, democratic majority of Belarusians, have repeatedly expressed our commitment to rule of law, to democratic values and to peaceful dialogue. I once again emphasize our willingness to talk with authorities and look for a peaceful solution to crisis that has affected our nation," she ded.

In a dramatic conflict at rmally staid Human Rights Council, Belarus' ambassor, Yury Ambrazevich, took floor to insist that allowing U.N. human rights vocates and or speakers to dress council violated rules, arguing that only national envoys should be allowed to speak. council president overrode objections.

In his response, Ambrazevich said his government "rejects any such unfounded allegations that undermine elections which were a reflection of sovereign right of people to make ir own choice."

"We see use of alternative assessments of reality at international fora as an intervention in our domestic affairs," he ded.

debate, during which several European Union countries spoke out in favor of speakers and decried rights violations in Belarus, came as 47-member-nation council prepared to vote on a resolution presented by Germany that raises concerns about torture, "arbitrary deprivations of life," and sexual and -based violence linked to Aug. 9 presidential election.

resolution also cited alleged intimidation, harassment and detention of opponents of Lukashenko's government before and after election.

autocratic Lukashenko, who has ruled ex-Soviet republic for 26 years, was declared winner, but opposition activists have challenged election as rigged.

European Union and U.S. government have called vote neir free r fair and urged government to enter a dialogue with opposition as post-election protests continue.

German resolution wants Bachelet to look into recent violations and report back to council by year-end. That would entail a relatively fast-track response for often deliberate and slow-moving council.

A resolution setting up urgent debate was opted Monday on a 25-2 vote with 20 abstentions. Many European nations voted in favor and many African nations abstained.