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MINSK, 21 June (BelTA) - Belarus is ready for pragmatic dialogue with neighboring countries on migration issues, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva Larisa Belskaya said during an interactive dialogue with the UN special rapporteur on the rights of migrants at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the press service the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.
Larisa Belskaya stressed that irregular migration poses risks, which are exacerbated by the unjustified militarization of borders and deliberate deviation from international asylum standards. Belarus is facing the consequences of such policies at its borders with Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland.
“Belarus regularly records victims of violent pushbacks: people in need of medical and other assistance. Due to mistreatment, migrants often become victims of preventable deaths. Over the past four years, more than 80 deaths of migrants pushed back into Belarus have been documented, including over 15 this year,” the diplomat stated.
The Belarusian authorities are investigating cases of violence and human rights violations against migrants transiting toward the European Union. According to victims' testimonies, neighboring countries have established filtering centers, where detainees were beaten, their money and phones were confiscated, and then they were pushed back into Belarusian territory.
“We urge you to keep the deaths of people at EU borders in focus and to respond appropriately, helping to stop abuses and human rights violations against migrants,” Larisa Belskaya said.
According to her, Belarus is interested in cooperating with the UN special rapporteur and is ready for pragmatic dialogue with neighboring countries, including joint investigations into cases of death and disappearance.
“We hope our neighbors will move away from confrontation, show common sense and political will to restore trust and cooperation in joint border management,” the permanent representative of Belarus concluded.
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