Opinions & Interviews

Belarus’ diplomat criticizes UN Human Rights Council

Valentin Rybakov. Photo courtesy of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MINSK, 4 November (BelTA) – Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Valentin Rybakov criticized the work of the Human Rights Council as he spoke at the Plenary Meeting for the Presentation of the Human Rights Council Report at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Valentin Rybakov admitted the important role of the UN Human Rights Council in the international human rights efforts. He emphasized that this organization should focus on real work to promote human rights and to improve national capacities for better protection and promotion of human rights. Valentin Rybakov spoke in favor of the mechanism of the Universal Periodic Review launched in line with the UN Human Rights Council’s mandate. This mechanism is meant to exercise non-selective monitoring of human rights situations in all countries without exception.

“At the same time the Belarusian diplomat criticized the work of the Human Rights Council pointing out to some persistent issues in its activities: politicization and double standards, absence of impartial evaluation of human rights situations in various countries, excessive focus on individual countries during discussions. He emphasized that the Human Rights Council is turning into a repressive body and is running afoul of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda that does not provide for legalization of political coercion, sanctions and threat of sanctions. The head of the Belarusian diplomatic mission opposed the country mandates that do not contribute to dialogue between states,” the press service noted.

Taking into consideration the critical financial situation and the need to save resources in the United Nations, Valentin Rybakov urged to consider the revision of the agendas of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee and the Human Rights Council and to remove overlapping resolutions, which will help improve the efficiency of the Human Rights Council and save human and financial resources.

“The Permanent Representative of Belarus emphasized that the Human Rights Council  should be strengthened, but not by means of giving it additional functions of a judge. The head of the Belarusian diplomatic mission also spoke in favor of developing cooperative mechanisms and discussion platforms in the Council that will promote the exchange of best practices in various areas of human rights, including in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda,” the press service noted.

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