Belarus’ FM lashes out at UN chief over human rights concern

July 5, Pozirk. Belarus’ new foreign minister has lashed out at the UN secretary general over his concern about his country’s human rights record.
“There’s no special case on Belarus in the UN to give [UN Secretary-General António] Guterres the right to say something today or [to present any] claims,” said Maksim Ryžankoŭ.
Guterres welcomed the release of several political prisoners in Belarus as a step to “full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus” in a UN statement on his meeting with Alaksandar Łukašenka.
The UN press office reported that Guterres discussed human rights with the Belarusian leader.
Ryžankoŭ said, however, that the meeting in Kazakhstan’s Astana focused on “a wide range of issues” rather than human rights, Belarusian state-run media reported.
“In reality, the meeting focused on the UN activities in the Republic of Belarus and the launch of a new cycle of cooperation,” he said.
Guterres, Ryžankoŭ said, described Belarus as a very reliable partner, praising its progress toward Sustainable Development Goals.
Łukašenka’s press office has not yet commented on the meeting, which took place at the Belarusian ruler’s initiative.

UN chief meets Łukašenka, expresses concern about human rights in Belarus
- EconomyHealth ministry expecting 20-percent increase in pharmaceuticals outputThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka signs law allowing Russians to vote in local electionsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełavija to launch passenger service between Minsk, Thailand in JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank reports spike in individuals’ depositsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityPolice, soldiers searching for fallen drones in southern BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka promises Trump Nobel Prize — just not this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsTertel: talks with Washington revolve around UkraineThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politician: Belarusians fighting for Russia victims of propagandaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyBelGee sales in Russia surge by 61 percent, MAZ bus sales dropThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBiełstat: corporate debt up 31.6 percent in January-AugustThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsOpposition politician seeks solutions for Belarusian exiles in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsIrregular Belarus-EU border crossings twice as high as year agoThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Economy, SocietyBelarusian customs stop 1.2 tons of clothes and shoes from RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyReprisals: jailed journalist reportedly refuses to petition for pardonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Society“Culture is a strategic front”: Belarusian PEN highlights rights violations at OSCE conferenceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Belarus’ IVF births up 20 percent in 2024The material is available only to POZIRK+