Maksim Ryzhenkov. Video screenshot
MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) - Belarus has been accused of human rights violations millions of times, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov said as he addressed the high-level panel discussion of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 24 February, BelTA has learned.
“I will start my speech in a very unusual way for the representative of the country that has been accused of human rights violations millions of times. But I will try my best to explain clearly why any accusations against Belarus are absurd,” Maksim Ryzhenkov emphasized.
“The country should become safer, stronger and more prosperous every year,” the minister said.
“If citizens live under a peaceful sky, feel completely safe, do not fear being shot in a street or run over by a truck driven by a fanatic; if they do not fear for the lives of their children when they go to school or play in the yard; if they have a stable job and sufficient wages, among other things, which allows them not to skimp on food, clean water, home heating and electricity; if they consume quality organic food, they are politically aware and active; if a country has free childcare, secondary and higher education and healthcare. Can such a country have any fundamental problems with human rights?” Maksim Ryzhenkov stressed.
“All the things mentioned above are the fundamental human rights, with the right to life being the main human right. So all these things represent modern Belarus, which we, the Belarusians, and those who have visited us at least once know. Those who want to travel to Belarus will see it with their own eyes. Certainly, we have our own problems in the country. But everything I said above about Belarus is true. As a confirmation: according to the Sustainable Development Goals Report, Belarus has already achieved four goals ahead of schedule: poverty eradication, access to clean water and sanitation, reduction of inequality and preservation of terrestrial ecosystems.”
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