October 11, Pozirk. “We look forward to the United Nations’ support in freeing political prisoners, ending repression and holding the regime accountable for crimes against the people,” opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja told Pozirk.
Earlier today, the UN Human Rights Council announced the election of Latvia’s Nils Muižnieks as the special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus. Cichanoŭskaja welcomed the announcement as an important step towards improving the situation in the country.
“Muižnieks is a man of deep expertise in human rights who understands Belarus. His experience gives hope that the international community will not stop supporting Belarusians,” she said.
Muižnieks was born on January 31, 1964, in Los Angeles (USA) to a family of Latvian emigrants. He speaks English, Latvian, French and Russian.
In 2012–2018, Muižnieks served as the Council of Europe human rights commissioner. In 2020–2024, he headed Amnesty International’s European branch.
The Human Rights Council established the mandate of the special rapporteur on Belarus in 2012.
Since November 2018, the office has been held by France’s Marin. She will leave on November 1, after presenting her final report on human rights in Belarus to the UN General Assembly in October.
