In a significant plea for change, UN human rights experts demanded on Monday that Belarus abolish stringent regulations that currently prevent women convicted on charges of extremism from maintaining regular contact with their children. These mothers are forbidden from direct communication and are only allowed to write letters to their children every two to three months, with phone calls and in-person visits consistently barred.

The experts criticized these restrictions as disproportionate and harmful, arguing they contravene both international law and the principles of child welfare. According to their findings, such isolation can inflict severe psychological damage on children and disrupt family dynamics. “We urge Belarus to immediately allow for regular, including in-person, communication between mothers deprived of liberty and their children, taking into account the best interests of the child,” the report stated.

The UN pointed out that all individuals, including those incarcerated, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the experts highlighted that no one should be subject to arbitrary interference with their family life. Moreover, the Convention mandates that children should not be separated from their parents unless absolutely necessary for the child’s best interests.

Furthermore, the UN Bangkok Rules advocate for the protection of the mother-child relationship during imprisonment by recommending alternatives to incarceration for mothers of dependent children, such as home leave or non-custodial measures.

This call to action comes amid ongoing scrutiny by UN human rights bodies over Belarus's adherence to international legal standards in its counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation. Recent opinions issued by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention underscore persistent due process concerns within the nation.

UN experts are pressing for immediate reforms that would align Belarus’s policies with its international obligations, prioritizing the welfare and rights of children and their imprisoned mothers. The global community watches as Belarus faces these critical human rights challenges, urging swift and humane resolutions.