Belskaya: new resolution of UN Human Rights Council on Belarus is an instrument of gross interference in internal affairs
The issue of the human rights situation in Belarus is being harshly imposed by the EU, the United States and other Western countries on the UN human rights mechanisms in their political interests – as stated by the Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office and Other International Organisations in Geneva, Larysa Belskaya, at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council
“The authors of the resolution submitted to the Council have been achieving their goals with regard to Belarus for many years, using methods contrary to the principles of international co-operation, including falsification and substitution of universally agreed norms of international law with the so-called ‘rules-based order’; dilution of the principle of sovereign equality and the role of the state as the main guarantor of respect for human rights. A new resolution on Belarus is an instrument of gross interference in internal affairs. Its task is to increase pressure on the authorities, to achieve changes in Belarus' foreign policy priorities in order to subsequently change the geopolitical balance of power in the region," the diplomat stressed.
According to Ms. Belskaya, Belarus retains a strong state based on the unity and patriotism of the people, their commitment to peaceful evolutionary development and categorical rejection of destructive ‘colour revolutions’, “Our approaches have strengthened against the background of the horrific consequences of the implementation of the hegemonic strategies of the West, which are shaking our region, bringing grief and human rights violations to millions of people.”
The diplomat emphasised that Belarus is a peaceful, dynamically developing country that does not deserve special attention from the Council, “Belarus' resistance to external pressure, its ability to ensure national security, defend sovereignty, develop the economy and social sphere – despite an extensive sanctions pressure – force the initiators of the resolution to tighten their approaches. Therefore, in addition to the mandate of the special rapporteur on Belarus, another special procedure is being established: ‘three independent experts’. This is taking place against the background of a lack of funds, blocking the implementation of many important decisions of the UN Human Rights Council. Apparently, the political interests of the West in the Council should be ensured at all costs.”
The Belarusian diplomat expressed confidence that growing disinformation and discrediting of the Belarusian state in the UN Human Rights Council, as well as justification of the Western sponsors’ sanctions policy will continue to be the main purpose of these mechanisms. “Let me remind you that illegal Western sanctions against Belarus violate the right to development, freedom of movement, and block access to a number of critically important medicines for the most vulnerable groups. Bans on trade, transportation, financial transactions, visa issuance and cultural co-operation contribute to the creation of a new iron curtain. Western unilateral coercive measures threaten food security and realisation of the right to food for the population of many countries of the Global South,” she said.
As stated by Ms. Belskaya, the assessments on which the resolution on Belarus is based are false and biased, including unfounded accusations of alleged non-cooperation with OHCHR. The proposed measures are aimed not at taking care of human rights, but at destroying the principles of international co-operation and implementing the political priorities of Western countries. “Belarus will not submit to the illegal demands of the West shaped by the Human Rights Council resolution,” she stressed.
According to the diplomat, depoliticisation and non-selectivity in the work of the Council is the key to solving many problems, primarily acute political confrontation, crisis of trust and extreme politicisation of work on country-specific aspects.
“My country is open to constructive dialogue on human rights based on universally recognised principles and norms of international law. Belarus is firmly committed to international co-operation based on respect for the sovereignty of states, the cultural and civilisational diversity of peoples, and their right to determine their own path of development,” Ms. Belskaya stated.
