EU sanctions documents do not comply with human rights principles
The documents – adopted by the European Union and some foreign states envisaging the introduction of restrictive measures against Belarus – do not correspond to the generally recognised principles of equality of states, as well as generally recognised principles and norms of human rights – as the Constitutional Court of Belarus announced in its decision on the case on compliance with the generally recognised principles and norms of international law of the documents adopted (issued) by the European Union and some foreign states and their bodies providing for restrictive measures against the Republic of Belarus
The Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Piotr Miklashevich, stressed that Belarus in its foreign policy proceeds from the principle of equality of states, non-use of force or threat of force, inviolability of borders, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-interference in internal affairs and other generally recognised principles and norms of international law that guarantee the rights and freedoms of citizens, enshrined in the Constitution and envisaged by the international obligations of states.
At the same time, Mr. Miklashevich noted, “The 37th session of the UN Human Rights Committee noted that Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits formal and de facto discrimination in all areas in which state bodies exercise regulation or protection. The Constitutional Court considers that the individual restrictive measures introduced by the documents of the European Union and some foreign states in the form of prohibiting individuals from entering the territory of the EU and specified states are incompatible with other human rights – recognised by international legal acts, including the right to freedom of expression, and violate the principle non-discrimination on the basis of political and other convictions.”
Moreover, Mr. Miklashevich recalled, that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment, the right of every worker to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity. It is obvious that economic sanctions violate human rights, including in this regard.
