MOSCOW, 28 January (BelTA) - The Russian Parliament has completed the ratification procedures for the agreement with Belarus on measures for the mutual protection of citizens from unjust prosecution by foreign states and international judicial bodies, BelTA has learned.
The agreement was ratified by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly on 28 January. Previously, on 14 January, the document was approved by the State Duma of Russia.
President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus and President Vladimir Putin of Russia signed the relevant agreement in Moscow on 13 March 2025. It is based on the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation between states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and sovereign equality of states.
The agreement aims to establish constructive cooperation between Belarus and Russia in order to protect their citizens’ rights and freedoms from unjust criminal prosecution by third parties. It also addresses issues related to officials' immunity.
“The agreement establishes a mechanism for cooperation between the parties to protect their citizens and ensure guarantees of their rights and freedoms in connection with unjust criminal prosecution by foreign states and international judicial bodies. The parties also recognize immunities for the highest-ranking and other officials of the parties,” Yelena Afanasyeva, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, said as she presented the document for ratification in the Russian upper house of parliament.
“The agreement will help reduce the risks of politically motivated criminal prosecutions of our citizens by third parties and international organizations. At the same time, it will enhance the security and protect the sovereignty of our states,” she emphasized.
Belarus has already completed the domestic procedures necessary for the agreement to come into force.
The agreement was ratified by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly on 28 January. Previously, on 14 January, the document was approved by the State Duma of Russia.
President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus and President Vladimir Putin of Russia signed the relevant agreement in Moscow on 13 March 2025. It is based on the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation between states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and sovereign equality of states.
The agreement aims to establish constructive cooperation between Belarus and Russia in order to protect their citizens’ rights and freedoms from unjust criminal prosecution by third parties. It also addresses issues related to officials' immunity.
“The agreement establishes a mechanism for cooperation between the parties to protect their citizens and ensure guarantees of their rights and freedoms in connection with unjust criminal prosecution by foreign states and international judicial bodies. The parties also recognize immunities for the highest-ranking and other officials of the parties,” Yelena Afanasyeva, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, said as she presented the document for ratification in the Russian upper house of parliament.
“The agreement will help reduce the risks of politically motivated criminal prosecutions of our citizens by third parties and international organizations. At the same time, it will enhance the security and protect the sovereignty of our states,” she emphasized.
Belarus has already completed the domestic procedures necessary for the agreement to come into force.
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