Belarus’ Deputy FM called for dialogue among countries using unilateral sanctions in international politics
Belarus’ Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Ambrazevich spoke at the Sanctions. Business. Human Rights international conference, organised by Yelena Dovgan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Negative Impact of Unilateral Coercive Measures on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, sb.by reports with a link to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry
In his speech, Mr. Ambrazevich stressed that Belarus’ main goal is to completely stop the practice of illegal unilateral restrictive measures and abolish those already imposed in violation of international law, without the consent of the UN Security Council. This approach is supported by the overwhelming majority of UN members, and the member states of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter have enough political will to voice their position publicly.
“Belarus plans to tirelessly continue our work with like-minded states to reflect this position in UN documents,” the Belarusian diplomat informed the audience. “The number of such documents adopted at various global and regional international forums is constantly growing. No one should have any doubts about our rightness: neither presidents nor students.”
“It is widely known that the brakes in the form of sanctions on the development of each of the affected countries have already made it impossible for the entire world community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We call on all those who will suffer because of this not to bury their heads in the sand, but to join the member states of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter and jointly and openly advocate these positions,” Mr. Ambrazevich emphasised.
In the current circumstances, Belarus calls on like-minded states, all states already suffering from sanctions, and all sympathisers to unite in a search for ways to create systems to facilitate international financial settlements. The world must free itself from the monopoly of one currency and find an alternative.
“I would like to use this rostrum to draw the attention of business community, especially banks from all countries, not only Western ones, to the fact that the results of today’s event will give you a legal and political tool to help you in your work,” the Deputy Foreign Minister stressed. “These are guidelines for working with your governments to overcome the vulnerability and uncertainty of your positions, your fear of being penalised by your regulators because of trade relations with sanctioned states. This tool will allow you to more fully fulfil your stated social goals and missions of your companies without prejudice to you and without discrimination against citizens of such countries, including making full use of humanitarian exemptions.”
Concluding his speech, Mr. Ambrazevich addressed the authors of unilateral sanctions and the relevant governments, “The harmfulness of your illegal actions for the interests of ordinary people, including in your own countries, has already been proven many times and in various formats. The senselessness and futility of pressure on independent states is obvious to everyone. We urge you to return to the logic of equal dialogue and mutually beneficial co-operation in full compliance with international law.”
