Statement by I.Velichko, Director General for Multilateral Diplomacy of the MFA of Belarus at the side-event «Universality and indivisibility of human rights for all: States practices»

56th session of UN Human Rights Council

Side-event «Universality and indivisibility of human rights for all: States practices»

I am grateful for the opportunity to intervene at this very important and topical event.

I am pleased to note that this year we joined the efforts of the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia and prepared a joint report pertaining to the human rights situation in selected countries.

This document represents a practical example of close cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries in drawing attention to the challenges the international community faces in the field of human rights.
It is uploaded on the websites of the two Ministries.

The report aims to demonstrate the following.

First. There are no ideal countries.

This report clearly illustrates with specific examples the existing problems in the human rights “dossier” of precisely those countries that proclaimed themselves as the real exporters of “democratic values” and impose their standards on other sovereign states, often interfering in their internal affairs.

Second. No one has or can have a monopoly on human rights.

A voluntarist approach to the implementation of the concept of human rights, that per se deemed to serve for the benefit of all mankind, not only does not contribute to global peace and security, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, but, on the contrary, actually slows these processes down.

Third. The human rights should not be used as a political weapon.

It is crucial to understand the inadmissibility of using the human rights as an instrument of war, exerting political pressure on sovereign countries or applying of unilateral coercive measures.

It is necessary to prevent further polarization of countries on the basis of human rights political disagreements.

The Report is presented in relation to more than 40 countries, mainly the Western countries.

Racial superiority, persecution of media that broadcast alternative opinions, persecution of dissent, and the fight against cultural heritage and historical memories are among typical human rights violations of the West, represented in the Report. The rights to work, education, a decent standard of living, and housing are also among forgotten to ensure human rights. Even the right to a safe life remains in question in some Western countries.

The Report contains many examples on these topics, supported by relevant photos and links to videos. Although don’t be surprised if you can’t find some photos or videos on the Internet used in the document. Western countries monitor the media and censor anything that deals a serious blow to their vaunted democracy.

We don't criticize. We present the facts.

Now I would like to emphasize certain episodes of violations included in the Report that particularly concern Belarus, as they pose a direct threat to our security and impose an additional socio-economic burden on us. The emerging situation, in the context of the imposed illegal sanctions and the complete refusal of cross-border cooperation with Belarus by the EU, takes on a new nature.

Manifestations of xenophobia and intolerance towards migrants have been increasing in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the recent years.

Since 2021, Human Rights Watch has documented serious abuses against migrants by Polish border guards, including forced expulsions to Belarus that have resulted in deaths, including children, in at least 55 cases. Warsaw was criticized by human rights organizations for its categorical unwillingness to let asylum seekers through and to provide them with medical, legal and other assistance. The brutal treatment of refugees by Polish border guards has become public knowledge. You may find a lot of references on them in the Report.

Poland developed a regulatory framework that would allow executive authorities to refuse to accept migrants. In August 2021, the Polish government adopted amendments to the 2013 Act on Foreigners and the 2003 Act on Granting Protection to Aliens within the Territory of the Republic of Poland. These amendments allow the executive border bodies to immediately expel migrants who try to enter Polish territory bypassing official border checks.

Moreover, a recently passed law in Poland allows border guards to use firearms against illegal migrants. This could lead to more violence and death for the most vulnerable.

Since April 2021, Vilnius has been taking measures to deal with the influx of refugees, irregular migrants and asylum seekers. The authorities allow discrimination, resulting in more favourable accommodation conditions for some applicants, while others are subjected to violence and detention. There was an influx of people, mainly from Asia and Africa, fleeing armed conflicts and unfavourable living conditions in their home countries.
In July 2021, Lithuania adopted a law, restricting appeals against refusals to grant asylum and allowing deportation during the appeal process.

On 1 August 2021, the Lithuanian authorities legalised the practice of “pushbacks”: migrants were simply forced to return to the territory of Belarus. The principle of “pushing out” is also enshrined in the Seimas Resolution on the state of emergency adopted on 13 September 2022.

Amnesty International also drew attention to the migration problem. In July 2022, it published a report in which it accused of the country's leadership in racism and mistreatment of refugees from Africa and the Middle East. It is noted that the Lithuanian authorities don’t treat all asylum seekers equally – this difference is especially noticeable against the background of the “most friendly” treatment of Ukrainians in the country. The document also refers to torture, inhumane conditions of detention, cases of sexual violence, denial of access to asylum procedures and forcing refugees to return home.

The Investigative Committee of Belarus opened six criminal cases on violence against migrants by Lithuanian border guards at the end of 2023.

In February 2023, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights expressed concern that Lithuania continues to expel asylum-seekers and migrants, and there are still cases of preventing these people from crossing the border.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in February 2024 called upon the Lithuanian authorities to stop the negative practice of detaining migrant children, forcibly removing them (“pushing them out”) and to take measures to improve the socio-economic situation of such children, including those who have entered the country illegally, and to provide unaccompanied migrant children with the full social benefits provided for in the national child protection system.

Discriminatory attitudes towards migrants are also observed in Latvia.

This problem has been noted by many international human rights mechanisms. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has repeatedly drawn attention to the need to review Latvia's policy regarding refugees on the border with Belarus.

On August 9, 2022, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights sent a letter to the Latvian Ministry of Internal Affairs, in which she called on the authorities to “ensure access for representatives of civil society, international organizations and the media to border areas in order to deliver adequate humanitarian assistance to people in need,” and to “protect borders in a manner that is consistent with the country’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.”

The EU Agency for Fundamental Human Rights has indicated that  there are repeated cases of “expulsion” or “push-backs” of illegal migrants across borders in Latvia.

Latvian authorities' discriminatory actions are underpinned by real-life examples. You can find them in the Report.

But it is not only migrants who suffer from countries bordering Belarus.

Tourists and ordinary people crossing the western border of Belarus and going to visit relatives are subject to abuse and inhuman treatment. People are intimidated and threatened.

Since 2021, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have systematically restricted people' s rights to freedom of movement.

At the initiative of these countries, almost all border crossings on the border with Belarus are closed, which forces people to stand in long queues. Freight transport is stranded on the border for ucertain time. Hundreds of heavy trucks delivering humanitarian cargo, cannot deliver it on time.

The Lithuanian authorities deliberately create obstacles for Belarusians and Lithuanians living in border areas to visit relatives and friends and to conduct trips for commercial and touristic purposes. Against the background of the visa-free regime maintained by the Belarusian side for residents of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, the Lithuanian authorities have significantly complicated the issuance of entry visas for citizens of Belarus.

On June 3, 2024, discriminatory restrictions came into force, which allowed Lithuanian customs officers to confiscate food, medicine and other goods for personal use from the citizens of Belarus, Lithuania and third countries when entering Lithuania or transiting through Lithuanian territory. Neither the citizenship, nor the age, nor the health status of persons crossing the border were taken into account.

On June 5, 2024, Lithuanian customs authorities, taking into account mass protests of the Lithuanians, made some concessions, allowing to take products ATTANTION! in open packaging. The situation deliberatly created by the Lithuanian side represents inhuman tyranny.

We have repeatedly proposed to return to normal interaction between the specialized border structures of countries neighboring Belarus. We reiterate for dialogue and hope to reach out to our western neighbours. As the Slavic proverb says: You don't choose your neighbours, you just befriend them.

In conclusion, each country is unique in its diversity and there is no a uniform recipe that can be applicable to all societies. If we recognize the diversity of ways of development pertaining to human rights we’ll be able to ensure real multilateralism, understanding, peace and justice in the world.

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