New York, Oct. 27 -- While women in Belarus overall are being denied rights and freedoms, female political activists are subjected to enforced disappearances, torture, ill-treatment and exile, an independent UN human rights expert told the General Assembly on Tuesday.

"The Government's efforts to promote some rights of women at a policy level are rarely translated into concrete advancement of women's rights in law and in practice", said Anais Marin, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus.

"Flaws in legislation have for decades led to inequalities, discrimination, and protection gaps in cases of gender-based violence and abuses".

Physical, psychological pressure

In presenting her report on the human rights of women...