E/CN.4/2005/6/Add.3 page 5 Annex REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON ARBITRARY DETENTION ON ITS VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS (16 to 26 August 2004) CONTENTS Introduction .............................................................................................. Paragraphs Page 1-3 6 I. PROGRAMME OF THE VISIT .............................................. 4-6 6 II. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ................ 7 - 33 7 A. Institutional framework ................................................... 7 - 18 7 B. The legal framework of detention ................................... 19 - 33 9 III. POSITIVE ASPECTS .............................................................. 34 - 38 12 IV. AREAS OF CONCERN .......................................................... 39 - 75 13 The excessive powers given to prosecutors and investigators during the period of pre-trial detention ..... 39 - 43 13 The lack of independence of the judiciary and the Bar Association .............................................................. 44 - 47 14 C. Concerns raised by the pre-trial detention regime .......... 48 - 57 15 D. Detention as a means to repress freedom of expression ................................................................... 58 - 60 17 E. Serious concerns raised by administrative detention ...... 61 - 65 17 F. Jurisdiction of military courts over civilians ................... 66 - 68 18 G. Unsatisfactory protection of vulnerable detainees .......... 69 - 72 19 H. Lack of safeguards regarding detention in psychiatric hospitals ........................................................ 73 - 75 19 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................. 76 - 90 20 A. Conclusions ..................................................................... 76 - 80 20 B. Recommendations ........................................................... 81 - 90 21 A. B. V.