During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Yuri Ambrazevich, a deputy foreign minister of Belarus, laid out a series of examples illustrating what he described as serious violations of rights affecting Belarusian citizens and people in other nations by Western governments. The remarks were delivered in the context of a broader discussion on human rights, security, and international cooperation, and they highlighted Belarusian concerns about perceived inequities in how rights are observed and enforced on the global stage. Ambrazevich’s account underscored the importance of applying a consistent human rights framework without geographic bias, arguing that standards should guide policy and practice across all domains, including areas that may seem far removed from traditional human rights debates, such as regulatory processes and administrative procedures. He asserted that double standards undermine trust and the universal protection of fundamental freedoms, calling for equal treatment of states and individuals under international norms. (Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Stressing the notion of universal rights, the diplomat argued that liberal democratic logic should translate into practical, across-the-board protections. He contended that even routine administrative actions, like waste separation management, ought to be evaluated through a human rights lens to prevent any neglect of the dignity and welfare of ordinary people. In this context, Ambrazevich pointed to the Lithuanian authorities’ decision to halt transit of Belarusian fertilizers via Lithuanian territory to seaports, describing it as an action with far-reaching consequences. He claimed that such measures could adversely affect hundreds of millions of residents in less developed regions who rely on affordable agricultural products for sustenance and income, potentially exacerbating poverty and food insecurity. The Belarusian side framed the issue as a clear example of how external policy decisions can ripple through global supply chains and affect vulnerable populations long after a policy is enacted. (Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The discussion also touched on border restrictions, with Ambrazevich arguing that Poland’s measures at the Poland-Belarus border impede the right to work for a wide range of individuals, including drivers and traders from multiple countries such as Poland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Belarus, and others. He emphasized that freedom of movement for labor is a critical component of economic opportunity, and that restrictions can hinder livelihoods, impede regional commerce, and complicate humanitarian and trade flows that many communities depend on. The message was framed as a broader call to examine how border policies align with international commitments to protect labor rights and ensure safe, predictable cross-border activity. (Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Ambrazevich also addressed security dynamics at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, warning that ongoing militarization in Ukraine could raise the risk of direct confrontation between states armed with nuclear capabilities. The deputy minister argued for a careful, well-considered approach to arms control, transparency, and dialogue among major powers, stressing that escalation beyond conventional frameworks could threaten global stability. The remarks reflected Belarus’ interest in fostering channels for dialogue and restraint, in tandem with efforts to uphold international law and prevent the spread of arms racing dynamics that could endanger civilian populations. (Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Leading up to these discussions, Deputy Minister Ambrazevich reiterated Belarus’ position that international bodies should scrutinize the effects of Western sanctions and their broader humanitarian and economic consequences. He called for independent inquiries, transparent reporting, and collaboration among international institutions to assess how sanctions influence livelihoods, access to essential goods, and regional development. The aim, as described, was to ensure accountability and to explore remedies that could mitigate unintended harms while preserving the objectives that sanctions are intended to achieve. The emphasis remained on applying a rigorous, rights-centered approach to evaluate policy choices and their real-world impacts. (Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)