MFA of Belarus and Russia presented a second report on human rights in selected countries

On June 27, 2025, during the panel discussion «Universality and indivisibility of human rights for all: State practice» within the framework of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) In Geneva, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and Russia presented a second joint report on human rights practices in selected foreign States.

The report was presented by the Head of the Main Department of Multilateral Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Irina Velichko, and the Director of the Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Grigory Lukyantsev.

The report focuses on drawing attention to the human rights situation in countries of ‘developed democracy’ and is based on information from international organizations, independent international experts, including UNHRC special procedures, national ombudsmen, and international human rights defenders, as well as media reports.

The discussion was another important element in the context of common efforts of Belarus, Russia and like-minded countries to oppose selective approach and ‘double standards’, restoration of fair and equal cooperation in the field of human rights.

More about the presentation of the report in Geneva

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On June 30, 2025, the presentation of the second joint human rights report by the foreign ministries of Belarus and Russia was held at the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.

The report was presented by the Head of the Main Department of Multilateral Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Irina Velichko, and the Director of the Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Grigory Lukyantsev. The presentation was also attended by the Permanent Representatives of Belarus to the OSCE, Andrei Dapkuunas and Russia, Alexander Lukashevich.

During her presentation, Irina Velichko noted that the national human rights record should be maintained in each country without exception, emphasizing the universality of international commitments in this field. The report shows that in so-called developed democracies systemic human rights problems are large and persistent. Respect for human rights requires a universal, neutral and depoliticized approach based on international mechanisms such as the UPR and UN treaty bodies.

The Permanent Representative of Belarus to the OSCE, Andrei Dapkuunas, emphasized that the purpose of the publication of the report is to restore balance in the international human rights agenda. The report is a contribution to restoring balance in the international human rights agenda. Universality, impartiality and equality are the basis for an effective human rights system. Belarus and Russia are open to constructive dialogue, and the discussion of human rights should be mutual and objective.

More about the presentation of the report in Geneva

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The second joint report of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation «On the situation of human rights in individual countries» is a further confirmation of the close cooperation between Russia and Belarus in the field of international cooperation in the field of human rights. The document aims to draw attention to the challenges and threats facing today’s international human rights community. The full text of the report is available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.