"The Belarusian government has committed extensive violations of the country's civilian population's human rights, some of which amount to crimes against humanity, as part of a brutal effort to suppress all opposition," states a group of independent UN experts in a statement.
The expert group was established by the UN Human Rights Council nearly a year ago and is now publishing its first report. They claim to have documented "flagrant violations" such as widespread torture, and warn that politically motivated arrests have become a part of the authorities' approach.
According to the report, Belarusians perceived as critical or opposed to the government and President Aleksandr Lukashenko's rule have been persecuted on political grounds.
The authoritarian Lukashenko won the presidential election in 1994 and has strengthened his power over the years. He is often referred to as "Europe's last dictator".
