UN Experts Condemn Belarus for Invalidating Passports of Former Political Detainees, Warning of 'Grave Rights Violations'

The United Nations Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus has strongly condemned a controversial move by Belarusian authorities to invalidate the passports of former political detainees forcibly expelled from the country in 2025 and 2026—warning that the decision may breach international law and leave individuals effectively rightless.

In a sharply worded statement, the UN experts said the measure has left numerous former detainees stranded without valid identification, exposing them to severe legal, social and humanitarian consequences. Based on extensive interviews conducted by the Group, many of those affected are now unable to travel, access basic services, or regularise their legal status in host countries.

The experts described the move as unprecedented in scope and deeply troubling in its implications, particularly as it targets individuals already subjected to politically motivated detention and forced exile. By stripping them of valid passports, Belarus has effectively cut off their legal identity, intensifying their vulnerability and isolation.

Among the most serious consequences highlighted are restrictions on freedom of movement, including the inability to return to Belarus, resulting in prolonged separation from families. Affected individuals also face major barriers to employment, healthcare, housing, and education—core aspects of daily life that depend on legal documentation. In some cases, the measure raises the risk of statelessness or long-term legal limbo, particularly for those unable to obtain alternative documentation.

While states retain sovereign authority over passport issuance, the UN experts stressed that such powers are not absolute and must be exercised in line with both domestic and international legal standards. Any administrative action affecting fundamental rights must be lawful, proportionate, non-discriminatory, and accompanied by due process.

"Invalidating passports becomes unlawful when it is arbitrary, discriminatory, or lacks a clear legal basis," the experts noted, adding that the Belarusian government's actions appear to fall short of these requirements.

The Group warned that the measure may violate multiple provisions of international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Specifically, concerns were raised regarding infringements of the right to freedom of movement, the right to enter one's own country, the right to recognition as a person before the law, and the principle of non-discrimination.

Legal experts say such a move could set a dangerous precedent if left unchallenged, potentially enabling governments to use administrative tools like passport invalidation as a means of political control beyond their borders.

The UN Group has called on Belarusian authorities to immediately reverse the decision, restore valid documentation to those affected, and ensure full compliance with international human rights obligations. It also urged the government to provide clear legal justification for any administrative measures and to establish safeguards that prevent arbitrary or punitive actions against individuals based on political grounds.

The development adds to growing international concern over Belarus's treatment of political opponents, journalists, and civil society actors, many of whom have faced detention, forced exile, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in recent years.

As pressure mounts, the passport invalidation policy is likely to become a focal point in ongoing international scrutiny of Belarus's human rights record—raising urgent questions about accountability, legality, and the protection of individuals beyond national borders.