European Union condemns torture in Belarus

June 26, BPN. The European Union has condemned human rights violations in Belarus and other countries in a statement marking the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

“The EU condemns Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the numerous reported cases of torture, extrajudicial killings, and other atrocities committed,” said Josep Borrell, the bloc’s top diplomat.

“The EU also denounces the ill-treatment, torture, and appalling conditions that political prisoners, prisoners of war, and civilians around the world are subjected to, whether in Belarus or in Iran, among others, or in conflict zones such as Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Myanmar,” he added. “All perpetrators must be held accountable.”

Brussels pledged to work hard to end torture inside and outside EU borders and ensure justice and rehabilitation for all victims.

Earlier this month, the Viasna Human Rights Center published a report stating that watchers in Belarus continue to expose and document instances of torture and mistreatment during politically-motivated cases. It recorded 3,300 names of those convicted in polical criminal cases by early June.