MINSK, 2 June (BelTA) – Spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Mironchik commented on the Australian-based NGO's study on modern slavery, BelTA has learned.
Not long ago the Australian human rights company Walk Free Foundation published a Global Index Slavery report which estimates that more than 44,000 people in Belarus are living in modern slavery. According to Dmitry Mironchik, it is a ridiculous document with funny numbers. “The first question we had was: Have these people ever been to Belarus? And if so, what consumer goods marketplace did they visit to count slaves?” Dmitry Mironchik said.
He noted that, according to the report, only a few countries have fewer slaves than Australia. For example, the human rights activists found 900 slaves in Norway and 400 in Iceland. “This accuracy implies that they may have lists with names. We would really want to see those lists!” the spokesman said.
Dmitry Mironchik said that there is the Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council who deals with the situation on slavery. “We work very constructively with him. Belarus strictly honors its commitments under the conventions against slavery. Our country has never been criticized regarding their implementation,” Dmitry Mironchik said.
