Statement by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Yuri Ambrazevich at the International Conference on Sanctions, Business and Human Rights

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,

The Belarusian side thanks the Special Rapporteur Ms. Elena Douhan for her efforts to counter unilateral coercive measures in strict accordance with the UN Human Rights Council resolution. We consider as extremely important the initiative to unite international efforts in order to minimize the impact of already imposed sanctions on the enjoyment of human rights.

At the same time, speaking on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Belarus, I would like to emphasize that our main goal is the complete elimination of the practice of illegal unilateral coercive measures and the lifting of those sanctions which have already been imposed in violation of international law without the consent of the UN Security Council.

It is encouraging that the overwhelming majority of the UN Member States support this approach and the Member States of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations have sufficient political will to to voice their position publicly.

Belarus will continue working tirelessly together with like-minded states to reflect this position in UN documents. The number of such documents adopted by various global and regional international fora is constantly growing. No one should doubt our rightness: neither presidents nor students.

Let me emphasize that today we have all heard the voice of the academic community here, which has united around the same theme.

Recently, the topic of countering unilateral coercive measures in international relations has been deliberately, with the support of the government, gradually occupies one of the first places in the hierarchy of priorities of scientific research and educational discussions in Belarus. This applies to both research teams and educational institutions in humanitarian, political, law and economic fields.

We are sure that the reinforcing an international academic and educational dimension of international efforts to counter unilateral sanctions is in the interests of all States suffering from sanctions. The relevant doctrine must be convincing that there is not and cannot be a place for so called “fair” sanctions adopted in violation of international law.

The impact of sanctions on the economy and business deserves special attention. Belarus regularly provides its input on this issue to the UN Secretariat within the framework of implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution “Human Rights and Unilateral Coercive Measures”.

It is widely known that the sanctions serve as a break for development of each of the affected countries and that have already made it impossible for the entire global community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We call on all those who will be affected not to hide their heads in the sand, but to join the Member States of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter and openly advocate these positions.

In the current circumstances, we call on like-minded States, all States already suffering from sanctions, and all sympathizers to unite in finding ways to create systems to facilitate international financial operations.

The world must break free from the monopoly of a single currency and find an alternative.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to draw the attention of business circles, especially banking sector in all countries, not just in the West, that today’s event will provide you with legal and policy tools.

These are Guiding Principles for working with your governments to overcome the vulnerability and uncertainty of your positions, your fear of being penalized by your regulators because of your trade relations with sanctioned countries. This tool will allow you to more fully fulfil your social obligations, the mission of your companies, without harm to you and without discrimination citizens of such countries, including the use of humanitarian exemptions.

And it may not solve the problem globally, it will not ban or lift all sanctions, but it should help you to provide your goods and services to those people who are really suffering from lack of essential medicines or other important products, whose human rights have been violated by the voluntaristic unilateral coercive measures of some countries.

I would like to address briefly the initiators of unilateral coercive measures, to the respective 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 absurdity and uselessness of pressure on independent states are obvious to everyone. We urge you to return to the logic of equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation in full compliance with international law.

Thank you for your attention.

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