Statement by the delegation of Belarus at the 95th meeting of the Standing Committee of UNHCR

Mr Chairman,

We have taken note of the UNHCR report on its activities in Europe.

Protracted crises in the region and in the Middle East threaten to lead to an increase in the number of refugees and displaced persons. We also see risks that new EU legislation on migration and asylum could lead to restricted access to asylum procedures and a reduction in protection guarantees. We are convinced that reforms in the field of migration and asylum must comply with international standards, be non-discriminatory, and ensure dialogue with all stakeholders to protect people fleeing wars and crises.

Mr Chairman!

In Belarus, with the support of UNHCR, a comprehensive system for the protection of asylum seekers has been established.

Over the past 30 years, more than 18,700 people from 83 countries have applied to the competent authorities in Belarus for refugee status or protection. Two-thirds of them were granted subsidiary protection and refugee status (10,130 and 1,032 respectively). Many of them have subsequently been granted Belarusian citizenship. There are currently around 5,000 refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection in Belarus (572 and 4,243 respectively).

In 2025 alone, 2,284 people from 20 countries applied for protection. Around 97% of them are citizens of Ukraine.

In accordance with a decision by the President of Belarus, with a view to integrating Ukrainian citizens into Belarusian society and ensuring the efficient regulation of matters relating to their employment and social support, they are now able to access the relevant services on an equal footing with Belarusian citizens. We are also grateful to UNHCR for its constructive support for the efforts of the Belarusian state and for the assistance UNHCR provides to displaced persons from Ukraine.

Mr Chairman!

Guided by the Global Compact on Refugees, Belarus, with State support, strives to ensure that refugees and displaced persons have adequate access to social services.

We support UNHCR’s focus on shifting from humanitarian aid to sustainable responses centred on inclusion, protection and ‘the realisation of rights in a safe environment’. We are also keen to improve policies and strengthen national capacity in this area. We would be grateful to UNHCR for supporting our efforts, particularly in ensuring that refugees and displaced persons have access to healthcare services. We look forward to working together in this area with UNHCR and its multi-country office in Moscow accredited to Belarus.

Mr Chairman!

Over the past 10 years, the number of stateless persons in Belarus has almost halved (to 5,300). Virtually everyone who wished to do so has already been able to acquire Belarusian citizenship or is in the process of doing so. We are taking measures to safeguard the socio-economic rights of stateless persons and to minimise the negative consequences associated with their legal status. We are effectively addressing the issue of stateless children. All children born in Belarus to stateless parents become Belarusian citizens by virtue of their birth. We are continuing our work with a view to Belarus’s accession to key UN conventions on statelessness.

In conclusion, I would like to express our full support for UNHCR in protecting the rights and dignity of people forced to leave their homes in search of safety and a better life.

I thank you!

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