BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19/12/2007

UN approves resolution denouncing Belarus human rights violations

UN, December 19 (Itar-Tass) - The UN General Assembly approved on Tuesday a resolution slamming Belarus for human rights violations. The U.S.-proposed document was supported by 72 states; 33 voted against and 78 abstained.

The resolution alleged that systemic human rights violations, and oppression and persecution of media outlets, the Opposition and rights activists continue in Belarus.

Representatives of the delegations which voted against the document, called it "politically motivated." They noted that the approval of such a resolution was an attempt to interfere in the affairs of sovereign states. The Russian delegation was among those who did not support the document.

However, unlike resolutions by the UN Security Council, the resolutions of the UN General Assembly are not legally binding and do not necessarily have to be complied with.

Earlier, deputy speaker of the Belarussian parliament Sergei Zabolotets stated that Belarus was no worse that the United States in terms of providing for human rights and freedoms.

"The most surprising fact is that there're no new arguments regarding Belarus, the trivial pattern is used, with the aim of defaming the country which has opted for an independent way of development," Zabolotets told reporters when the third committee of the UN General Assembly recommended the resolution for approval.

"There are problems in Belarus. But we see them and work on them. Putting pressure on the country instead of constructive and serious dialogue has no prospects," he said.

Source:

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12193234&PageNum=0