Belarus has submitted a Report to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) regarding its compliance with the Commission on Human Rights’ Resolution 2003/45. The Resolution renews the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, as well as reaffirms commitment to the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW) and general principles of gender equality. Belarus’ report addresses its effort to implement programs and policies aimed at preventing and combating domestic violence as well as its commitment to providing services to victims of abuse. The report calls attention to its national plan of action for gender equality which was implemented in 2001 and includes a section entitled “women and violence.” This program calls for improved statistical research on the prevalence of domestic violence; an educational campaign to inform the public about domestic violence; sociological research on its causes and consequences; and the establishment of numerous social services to assist victims of abuse. Specifically, more crisis and rehabilitation centers have been created and health workers are being trained to work with victims of domestic abuse. Legislative action followed the piloting of that initiative. A bill was drafted in 2003 on the prevention and suppression of domestic violence.
Belarus has also sought to address the issue of trafficking in women, particularly for sexual exploitation. Its Cabinet of Ministers approved a state program to combat trafficking and work has begun on a law to codify the state’s stance against the practice.
Compiled from: "Information from the competent bodies in the Republic of Belarus concerning the implementation of Commission on Human Rights resolution No. 2003/45," Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, www.ohchr.org, 24 October 2005. Accessed 22 June 2006.