UN Experts Condemn Belarus for Extremism Label on Independent Lawyers’ Group

According to the UN experts, the decision to brand BAHRL as “extremist” reflects a broader trend of systemic interference in the independence of the legal profession in Belarus.

UN human rights experts have sharply criticised the Belarusian Government for designating the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers (BAHRL) as an “extremist formation”, warning that the move represents a grave escalation in the country’s repression of independent legal professionals. The experts called on Belarus to immediately reverse the designation, halt all forms of persecution against lawyers, and bring its legal framework into line with international human rights obligations.

A Deepening Crackdown on the Legal Profession

According to the UN experts, the decision to brand BAHRL as “extremist” reflects a broader trend of systemic interference in the independence of the legal profession in Belarus. They cautioned that such actions severely undermine the right to a fair trial and equality before the law—two fundamental pillars of justice that rely on lawyers being free from intimidation, surveillance and politically motivated sanctions.

Belarus’s anti-extremism legislation has long been criticised by international bodies for its overly broad definitions and lack of safeguards. Human rights monitors argue that the law is frequently weaponised against peaceful civil society actors, journalists, human rights defenders and opposition figures. The UN experts reiterated that the legal framework is incompatible with global human rights conventions and urged Belarus to repeal the “extremism” designation entirely.

Targeting BAHRL: Reprisals for Legal Advocacy

BAHRL was founded in 2023 by disbarred Belarusian lawyers living in exile. The association emerged in response to intensifying domestic repression and aimed to offer legal counselling on the dangers facing individuals inside Belarus, including risks related to arbitrary detention, in absentia trials and political persecution. BAHRL also assists victims of human rights abuses with submitting complaints to UN mechanisms and other international bodies.

In August 2025, Belarusian authorities escalated their crackdown by officially designating BAHRL as an “extremist formation” and identifying its members as individuals “involved in extremist activities”. These labels expose members to criminal prosecution, travel bans, asset freezes and potential imprisonment.

UN experts expressed concern that the classification may be an act of retaliation against BAHRL for cooperating with international human rights organisations. They also noted reports of at least one lawyer being mistakenly identified as a BAHRL member, illustrating the arbitrariness of the process.

Declining Legal Protections Amid Widespread Repression

The repression of lawyers has intensified since the mass protests and political crisis that followed the 2020 presidential election. Over this period, hundreds of civil society actors, political opponents and journalists have faced imprisonment, forced exile or harassment. Lawyers who represented detainees or challenged politically motivated charges have been among the most heavily targeted groups.

Data received by Special Procedures indicates that the number of practising attorneys in Belarus has fallen by nearly 600 over the past five years, leaving only 1,603 lawyers in a country of more than nine million people. Fourteen lawyers have been subjected to criminal prosecution during this time, often on vague or unsubstantiated charges.

Seven lawyers are currently serving prison sentences, including the high-profile cases of Maksim Znak and Vitali Braginiec. Both have been recognised by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention as victims of unlawful detention. Znak’s situation is particularly alarming, as he has remained forcibly disappeared and held incommunicado since 9 February 2023—an act considered a severe human rights violation under international law.

International Calls for Accountability

The UN experts urged the Belarusian Government to restore the independence of the legal profession and ensure that lawyers can perform their duties without fear of reprisals. They emphasised that fair trial guarantees cannot exist when defence lawyers are threatened, imprisoned or barred from practising for political reasons.

The statement comes at a time of growing international scrutiny of Belarus’s human rights record, with multiple governments and organisations calling for sanctions, accountability mechanisms and sustained pressure on Minsk to halt its violations of civil and political rights.

While Belarusian authorities have repeatedly dismissed such concerns as foreign interference, human rights groups maintain that these actions reflect a systematic effort to crush dissent and dismantle the country’s remaining independent institutions.

Looking Ahead

As Belarus continues to suppress independent voices, the targeting of BAHRL represents a critical test of the international community’s ability to protect legal professionals at risk. UN experts stressed that ensuring lawyers’ safety is essential to safeguarding justice for all citizens—and warned that Belarus’s current trajectory threatens to erode the foundations of its legal system.