Belarusian deputy foreign minister: Sanctions hamper implementation of human rights

November 18, BPN. Belarus’ progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is almost 80 percent, Deputy Foreign Minister Juryj Ambrazievič has told a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Development in Minsk.

The foreign ministry said on its website that Ambrazievič accused western nations of their sanctions policy preventing “the full implementation of human rights in the country, the development of society and the fulfillment by Belarus of its international obligations under the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The diplomat called for boosting the potential for partnership between nations, businesses, NGOs and other interested parties, including “through the UN’s technical assistance projects.”

Over the past few years, democratic nations have imposed multiple restrictions on Belarus, mainly due to Minsk’s human rights violations. Sanctions were imposed for the rigged 2020 presidential election, brutal crackdown on protests, forced landing of a Ryanair flight, migration crisis on the EU border, and support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.