Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 10 March (BelTA) – Belarus understands the importance of human rights, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha said at the international conference, Death Penalty: Transcending the Divide, in Minsk on 10 March, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus understands that the state should show leadership in the issues of human rights, not only in the matters related to the death penalty but all rights of a human being,” said Sanaka Samarasinha.

“This dialogue (the conference on the death penalty in Minsk – BelTA’s note) will be a true discussion for Belarus, rather than an instruction, pressure or dictate,” the UN representative said when talking to journalists.

The main idea of the conference is to consider the issue of the death penalty, taking into account the existing international obligations and commitments. According to Sanaka Samarasinha, the death penalty is a very sensitive issue.