Statement by h.e. mr. Sergei Aleinik permanent representative of the republic of Belarus to the United Nations office and other international organizations at Geneva 59th session of the commission on human rights (Geneva, 17 March - 25 April 2003) item 9:

2 April 2003

adame Chairperson,

Regrettably, today no country can claim that all human rights are fully respected within its territory.

Belarus condemns human rights violations wherever they occur, and stands for constructive international cooperation in the field of human rights protection based on the principles of mutual respect and partnership on an equal footing.

The use of human rights issues as a means to achieve political and economic goals has no prospects and it is contrary to the very concept of human rights. Unilateral measures against sovereign states discredit the very principle of participation of the international community in ensuring respect for human rights.

Moral admonitions with regard to respect for human rights sound quite cynical from the lips of the delegation of the country which by its actions undermines the foundations of the existing system of international relations, violates the Charter of the United Nations, the basic norms and principles of International Law, which by its actions provokes humanitarian catastrophes entailing suffering of innocent civilians and violations of fundamental human rights, including right to life.

Madame Chairperson,

As a matter of principle, it is important that the Commission on Human Rights – the most authoritative UN body in the sphere of human rights protection – avoid politicization and steadily rise the efficiency of its activities. To this end, the Commission should discontinue the practice of examining so cold country resolutions and reorient its efforts on elaborating universal standards for human rights observance and recommendations for their implementation in the spirit of constructive cooperation with national governments.

The Commission should pay primary attention to relevant global thematic issues of human rights such as eradication of poverty, problem of rising activities of groups of racist and nationalistic nature, human rights in the context of the fight against terrorism and others.

Belarus stands ready to perceive constructive criticism but we reject politicized approach with regard to the problems of human rights protection. We are of the view that debate and decisions adopted by the Commission under item 9 should be aimed at helping governments to fulfill obligations in the field of human rights in order to strengthen national potential of human rights protection.

It is precisely in this spirit that relations between Belarus and Europe started to develop upon the opening in Minsk of the OSCE Office on 1 January 2003. The restoration of the membership of the National Assembly of Belarus in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was also a positive message in this sense.

Early this year, the European Commission recognized the need to revise the EU approaches towards our country and to involve more actively Belarus in cooperation. And we stand ready to continue dialogue with Europe and to elaborate mutually acceptable decisions on the whole range of the EU “neighbouring” initiative.

In this context, any aggravation and disruption of dynamics of positive developments in cooperation between Belarus and Europe would be counterproductive and is not in line with the interests of all stakeholders of the process.

In conclusion, Madame Chairperson, allow me to reaffirm the commitment of Belarus to its international obligations in the sphere of human rights protection. Belarus is open to constructive, fair dialogue and cooperation on the whole range of human rights issues.

Thank you.