A/HRC/16/48 Belarus Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review: 0 Cases clarified during the period under review: 0 Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review Cases sent under Cases sent the urgent action under the procedure standard procedure Government Non-governmental sources 3 0 0 0 0 Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review 3 Number of cases on which the Government has replied Multiple replies on some cases Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule) 3 0 Yes Urgent Appeal N/A Government response N/A General allegation N/A Government response N/A Prompt intervention letter N/A Government response N/A Working Group request for a visit N/A Government response N/A Information from the Government 78. The Working Group received two communications from the Government dated 22 February and 2 June 2010, regarding one outstanding case and the three outstanding cases respectively. The information provided was considered insufficient to lead to clarification. Information from sources 79. Information was received from sources concerning one outstanding case. Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding 80. Since its establishment, the Working Group has transmitted three cases to the Government; all remain outstanding. Observations 81. The Working Group reminds the Government of its obligations under the Declaration to conduct thorough and impartial investigations “for as long as the fate of the victim of enforced disappearance remains unclarified” (art. 13.6) and to ensure that statutes of limitations, where they exist, relating to acts of enforced disappearance are substantial and commensurate with the extreme seriousness of the offence (art. 17.3). 82. The Working Group calls upon the Government to sign and ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and accept the competence of the Committee under articles 31 and 32. 26