BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

22/11/2007

UN committee approves resolution slamming Belarus rights violations

UN, November 22 (Itar-Tass) - The third committee of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday approved a draft resolution denouncing human rights violations in Belarus. The U.S.-proposed document was backed by 68 states. Thirty-two voted against and 76 abstained.

The resolution alleged that systemic human rights violations, and oppression and persecution of media outlets, the Opposition and rights activists continue in Belarus.

Representatives of the delegations which voted against the document, called it "politically motivated." They noted than the approval of such a resolution was an attempt to interfere in the affairs of sovereign states. The Russian delegation was among those who did not support the document.

Last Tuesday, the UN third committee approved similar draft resolutions denouncing human rights violations in North Korea, Iran and Myanmar. The documents have been submitted for approval at plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly.

However, unlike resolutions by the UN Security Council, the resolutions of the UN General Assembly are not legally binding and do not necessarily have to be complied with.

Source:

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12098149&PageNum=0