Posted:
08.10.2025 10:59:34
Belarus’ Permanent Representative urges to strengthen co-operation in migration at 76th UNHCR Executive Comission session
Rejecting well-established multilateral and bilateral relations on mixed international displacement of refugees and migrants have stern this displacement into chaos and can lead to horrendous consequences, especially for the most vulnerable — as stated by Larysa Belskaya, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office in Geneva, speaking at the 76th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee
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In her address, the Belarusian representative emphasised that today’s crises phenomena, manifested in the catastrophic increase in forced displacement, are the consequences of armed conflicts, growing global inequality and the rejection of approaches such as co-operation and compromise, “Belarus observes these consequences on its own Western border with the EU, and has done for the last 5 years. Our Western neighbours have rejected co-operation, unilaterally and virtually blocked many years of co-operation with Belarus and the co-ordinated response to flows of migrants and refugees. Instead, they’ve built fences and practiced harsh forced expulsion of forcibly displaced persons and potential asylum seekers, groundlessly accusing Belarus of ‘weaponisation’ and ‘instrumentalisation’ of migrants and refugees. Their actions are accompanied by violations of human rights and deaths of people — the people who were forced to leave their homes in the search of safety and better life. For four years, Belarus’ law enforcers have documented over 80 cases of death of forcibly displaced persons as a result of violent actions by the security agencies of our Western neighbours.”
On behalf of Belarus, Larysa Belskaya urged the UNHCR to devote greater attention to this issue, analyse evidence of violations and facilitate preventing those, “Belarus welcomes the UNHCR contribution to strengthening the national asylum system. The country has an effective mechanism for receiving forced displacees in line with international standards. Belarus consistently develops co-operation to seek sustainable solutions. Recently in the city of Vitebsk, we’ve completed the modernisation of a temporary refugee settlement camp that has been in Belarus for 20 years. It will facilitate a prompt and effective response to issues related to forced migration. The co-operation protocol signed by the UNHCR Mission in Minsk and Belarus’ State Border Committee focuses on fostering national capacity, the effective implementation of UN humanitarian missions, and co-operation on providing assistance to those in need of international protection.”
Belarus continues to help refugees from Ukraine, who receive additional protection, as well as benefits in finding work and education, and receiving medical treatment and pensions. Belarus’ Red Cross and local authorities assist refugees in integration to the society and provide help to families with children and elderly people.
The Belarusian representative highlighted, “Belarus understands the UNHCR’s forced measures caused by the humanitarian funding crisis. We trust that the planned change in the status of the UNHCR Mission in Minsk will not undermine the bilateral co-operation between the UNHCR and Belarus, which is aimed at strengthening capacity in international protection and asylum, and providing assistance to refugees and forcibly displaced persons.”
Larysa Belskaya noted, “Making its contribution for the quest for sustainable solutions for migrants and refugees, Belarus continues to develop dialogue with all interested sides. On October 28th, an event concerning the problem of mixed displacement in today’s international relations will take place in Minsk as part of the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security. The upcoming discussion will focus on the role of orderly and safe displacement of people and their constructive integration into host communities as a factor facilitating economic growth and prosperity.”
The Belarusian diplomat also expressed her gratitude to the UNHCR for confirming its participation in the event, the results of which will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of growing global migration on security and development in the Eurasian region, “Rejecting well-established multilateral and bilateral relations on mixed international displacement of refugees and migrants have stern this displacement into chaos and can lead to horrendous consequences, especially for the most vulnerable.”
In her address, the Belarusian representative emphasised that today’s crises phenomena, manifested in the catastrophic increase in forced displacement, are the consequences of armed conflicts, growing global inequality and the rejection of approaches such as co-operation and compromise, “Belarus observes these consequences on its own Western border with the EU, and has done for the last 5 years. Our Western neighbours have rejected co-operation, unilaterally and virtually blocked many years of co-operation with Belarus and the co-ordinated response to flows of migrants and refugees. Instead, they’ve built fences and practiced harsh forced expulsion of forcibly displaced persons and potential asylum seekers, groundlessly accusing Belarus of ‘weaponisation’ and ‘instrumentalisation’ of migrants and refugees. Their actions are accompanied by violations of human rights and deaths of people — the people who were forced to leave their homes in the search of safety and better life. For four years, Belarus’ law enforcers have documented over 80 cases of death of forcibly displaced persons as a result of violent actions by the security agencies of our Western neighbours.”
On behalf of Belarus, Larysa Belskaya urged the UNHCR to devote greater attention to this issue, analyse evidence of violations and facilitate preventing those, “Belarus welcomes the UNHCR contribution to strengthening the national asylum system. The country has an effective mechanism for receiving forced displacees in line with international standards. Belarus consistently develops co-operation to seek sustainable solutions. Recently in the city of Vitebsk, we’ve completed the modernisation of a temporary refugee settlement camp that has been in Belarus for 20 years. It will facilitate a prompt and effective response to issues related to forced migration. The co-operation protocol signed by the UNHCR Mission in Minsk and Belarus’ State Border Committee focuses on fostering national capacity, the effective implementation of UN humanitarian missions, and co-operation on providing assistance to those in need of international protection.”
Belarus continues to help refugees from Ukraine, who receive additional protection, as well as benefits in finding work and education, and receiving medical treatment and pensions. Belarus’ Red Cross and local authorities assist refugees in integration to the society and provide help to families with children and elderly people.
The Belarusian representative highlighted, “Belarus understands the UNHCR’s forced measures caused by the humanitarian funding crisis. We trust that the planned change in the status of the UNHCR Mission in Minsk will not undermine the bilateral co-operation between the UNHCR and Belarus, which is aimed at strengthening capacity in international protection and asylum, and providing assistance to refugees and forcibly displaced persons.”
Larysa Belskaya noted, “Making its contribution for the quest for sustainable solutions for migrants and refugees, Belarus continues to develop dialogue with all interested sides. On October 28th, an event concerning the problem of mixed displacement in today’s international relations will take place in Minsk as part of the 3rd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security. The upcoming discussion will focus on the role of orderly and safe displacement of people and their constructive integration into host communities as a factor facilitating economic growth and prosperity.”
The Belarusian diplomat also expressed her gratitude to the UNHCR for confirming its participation in the event, the results of which will contribute to a better understanding of the impact of growing global migration on security and development in the Eurasian region, “Rejecting well-established multilateral and bilateral relations on mixed international displacement of refugees and migrants have stern this displacement into chaos and can lead to horrendous consequences, especially for the most vulnerable.”
