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BY UNION GENERAL STATEMENT THE EUROPEAN THEVOTE BEFORE Situation of human rights in Belarus AlC.3/61/L.40 M r . J a n n eJ o k i n e n Permanent Mission Finland to the UnitedNations of New York, 22 November2006

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Mr.Chairman, I have the honourto speakon beharfof the European union. Mr.Chairman, The universality and interdependence all human rights and fundamental of freedoms are principles that the European Union holds dear. As we have repeatedly stated, no country - large or small - can be regardedas being beyond or aboveconsideration international by human rightsfora. The EU firmly believesthat the Third Committeeof the GeneralAssemblymust address the situation of human rights in Belarus, based on the gravity of the situation on the ground. The text before us reaffirms that all Stites have the obligation promoteand protect human rights and fundamental to freedomsand to fulfil their international obligations. notei the commitmentsBelarushas made It under a number of internationalhuman rights instruments,and calls on it to honourthose commitments. The draft resolutionsets out particular issues of concern to the international c o m m u n i t y , i n c l u d i n gt h e E u r o p e a nU n i o n , i n t h e h u m a n r i g h t s s i t u a t i o n in Belarus. Electionsheld in the recent past have fallen short of international standards. Intimidationof opposition candidates and groups has been systematic. Judicialproceedings too often lack the necessary all elementsof due process, and are used as a tool for political intimidation.Human rights defenders,national minorityorganisations, independent media, religious orga-nisations, among others, face harassment a regular basis.SenioroFfrciats tne Governmentwho on in have been implicated in the enforced disappearance political opponents enjoy of impunity. Unfortunately none of these concernsare new. Previous resolutions the United by NationsCommission Human Rights have addressed on them, and various United Nations and other international human rights mechanisms have made recommendations how to rectify the situation.We regret that the Government on of Belarus has chosen to ignore them. Systematic, widespread and serious violations human rightscontinueto persistin Belarus. of Were we to choosenot to addressthe human rights situationin Belarus,we would let down the very people whose human rights we have committedourselves protecting. to Mr.Chairman, The EuropeanUnion strongly urges delegations considerthe draft resolution to before us on its own merits. We will be voting in favor of draft resolutionL.40 on t h e s i t u a t i o n f h u m a nr i g h t si n B e l a r u s . o T h a n ky o u , M r . C h a i r m a n .