MINSK, 29 November (BelTA) – Poland tramples democratic principles and humanistic values in its treatment of refugees, Chairman of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly, Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin said at a joint online event of the council and the 14th plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, BelTA has learned.
“Not a single state has benefited from the international expansion of the United States. They tried to build American-style democracy all over the world, imposing their own standards. Today, citizens of Libya, Iraq, Syria are forced to seek refuge in other countries. This resulted in the migrant crisis on the border of Belarus and Poland, where several thousand refugees have amassed trying to get into the EU. They were promised a quiet life and high asylum benefits, but instead they were met with water cannons, tear gas, and weapons, which runs afoul of democratic principles and humanistic values,” Vyacheslav Volodin said.
The chairman of the State Duma noted that no statements condemning these radical actions are made. “What is this, if not double standards? In this regard, it would be right for us to appeal to European parliaments and parliamentary organizations and ask them to develop uniform standards of action to overcome migrant crises. After all, many countries are facing migrant crises now. Some of these countries are criticized, while others are supported. We cannot agree with this, therefore, we suggest drafting uniform standards,” he stressed.
The chairman of the State Duma pointed to Belarus' assistance to refugees. “Belarus has lent them a helping hand. Then why is the EU that provoked these processes not bearing any responsibility?” he asked. “Belarus is our strategic partner. Therefore, in this situation we should stick to a uniform approach and support the country that is facing the consequences of the disastrous policy the United States has been pursuing in the Middle East for a long time. We cannot agree that the Polish authorities are treating civilians like in the times of the Second World War,” he said.
