Mr. Vice-President,  

The Kingdom of the Netherlands thanks the Group of Independent Experts for their report outlining the dire human rights situation in Belarus. 
We remain deeply concerned about the serious and large-scale human rights violations that continue to be perpetrated by the Belarusian authorities,  some of which, as highlighted in the report, may amount to crimes against humanity. 
We continue to firmly stand with the people of Belarus, its civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, and the Belarusian democratic forces. With more than 1,250 political prisoners currently being held in arbitrary detention, we call on the Belarusian authorities for their immediate and unconditional release, and demand their full legal redress. 
Tragically, we have witnessed persistent efforts by Lukashenko and the Belarussian authorities to curb civil liberties, especially in the run-up to the so-called Presidential Elections in January. 
Depriving people of their liberty, while they exercise their right to stand up for freedom and dignity is unacceptable. Rights, moreover, that are enshrined in the Belarussian Constitution and the international human rights treaties to which Belarus is a Party.  
Those responsible for the serious violations detailed in your report must be held accountable. Therefore, we call on this Council and the broader international community to continue its support to initiatives aimed at preventing impunity. 
Experts,  
Considering the result of the so-called Presidential Elections in January and the impact of geopolitical shifts in the region, which impact do you foresee on the human rights situation in Belarus?