MINSK, 4 August (BelTA) – Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik hosted a briefing for heads and representatives of accredited diplomatic missions of foreign countries on 4 August, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.
Deputy Chairman of the State Border Committee of Belarus Roman Podlinev took part in the event. The foreign diplomats received objective and documented information about the dramatic processes going on at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border.
Attention was drawn to Lithuania's persistent steps to dismantle the system of good neighborly interaction in border affairs, including the blocking of funding for the readmission agreement with the European Union, the disruption of the relevant bilateral interagency ties and contacts. The lack of a response from European bodies to previously sent Belarusian proposals to discuss migration problems was emphasized.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that actions of the Lithuanian side to amend the relevant national laws and the internal affairs minister's authorization of the use of force against asylum seekers had resulted in current tragic consequences. The expulsion of asylum seekers runs contrary to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, and other documents on human rights. Attempts of the Lithuanian side to portray it as some premeditated act and shift the responsibility onto the Belarusian side are untenable, the ministry noted.
It was stressed that the Belarusian side maintains full transparency in these matters. Belarus' readiness was reaffirmed to resolve all the complicated issues that affect stability and security in the region, people's lives and wellbeing, including within the framework of cooperation in border affairs. The Belarusian side has never politicized spheres of practical cooperation, including cooperation with countries of the West and the European Union, the source stressed.
Hope was expressed that European Union institutions and human rights organizations will not turn a blind eye towards the illegal, arbitrary, and blatantly cruel actions, which are taken against peaceful refugees under the supervision of Lithuanian authorities.
The Belarusian side also hopes for an international investigation into the facts of violence in Lithuania and systemic violations of international commitments with regard to human rights.
