MINSK, 20 August (BelTA) - The current situation on the borders with the EU is inhumane and degrading for citizens, press secretary of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anatoly Glaz told BelTA.
There are the bans on the transit of goods through the territory of a number of countries neighboring Belarus, the closure of checkpoints, and the introduction of various kinds of restrictions. "Our neighbors are closing checkpoints, introducing more and more restrictions. Suffice it to recall that since June 2024, Lithuanian customs officers have been confiscating food, medicines and other goods for personal use from citizens of Belarus, Lithuania and third countries, including children, when entering Lithuania or transiting through Lithuanian territory. Only 0.5 liters of drinking water are allowed to be transported and only in an open container!" Anatoly Glaz gave an example.
Cargo transportation has been practically brought to a standstill. Hundreds of heavy-duty trucks, including those with humanitarian cargo, are unable to reach their destination points on time. Regular bus services are being cut,” the official representative of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“All these political intrigues contradict the UN Charter, directly violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other human rights documents. Our neighbors resort to extraterritorial violation of the rights of Belarusian citizens, including limiting their right to movement,” Anatoly Glaz said. “Behind their actions are political goals, economic diktat, bargaining for preferences, which is unacceptable!”.
There are the bans on the transit of goods through the territory of a number of countries neighboring Belarus, the closure of checkpoints, and the introduction of various kinds of restrictions. "Our neighbors are closing checkpoints, introducing more and more restrictions. Suffice it to recall that since June 2024, Lithuanian customs officers have been confiscating food, medicines and other goods for personal use from citizens of Belarus, Lithuania and third countries, including children, when entering Lithuania or transiting through Lithuanian territory. Only 0.5 liters of drinking water are allowed to be transported and only in an open container!" Anatoly Glaz gave an example.
Cargo transportation has been practically brought to a standstill. Hundreds of heavy-duty trucks, including those with humanitarian cargo, are unable to reach their destination points on time. Regular bus services are being cut,” the official representative of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
For example, there were 45 regular bus services between Belarus and Lithuania in 2023. They carried a total of 450,000 people were transported that year. In August 2024 40 regular bus services were left, with Lithuania planning to cut them further to 29 by the end of the year. By the end of 2024 bus services will be slashed by 35%, with tourist numbers reducing by 150,000 people.
“All these political intrigues contradict the UN Charter, directly violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and other human rights documents. Our neighbors resort to extraterritorial violation of the rights of Belarusian citizens, including limiting their right to movement,” Anatoly Glaz said. “Behind their actions are political goals, economic diktat, bargaining for preferences, which is unacceptable!”.
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