Belarus calls for reforming the United Nations Human Rights Council

Wednesday, 25.02.2026 - 11:54

The work of the UN Human Rights Council is increasingly failing, turning into a farce, Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Sekreta said at the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, BelTA has learned.


The Belarusian diplomat recalled that this year, 2026, is significant for the international human rights system. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the two Covenants (on Civil and Political Rights, and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), which form the basis of the International Bill of Human Rights. It also marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council, which replaced the Commission on Human Rights.

“Belarus was against such radical transformations and proposed 'fixing' the commission. It turned out to be right. But, as they say, it is always easier to break than to build. These are good occasions to assess progress in the field of human rights. Unfortunately, there is not much to brag about. The paradox is that all the mechanisms for work are in place, but there is no result. Today's speeches prove that the work of the UNHRC is increasingly failing, turning into a farce,” Igor Sekreta stated.

He noted that the majority of states are increasingly growing unhappy about this organization. The only ones satisfied with the UN Human Rights Council are those who are trying to impose their own recipe for 'democracy' through it, which in reality turns into chaos and anti-constitutional disorder for other sovereign countries.

“The resolutions adopted in this hall, alas, are not about human rights at all. They serve completely different purposes: justifying sanctions, external pressure, lynching inconvenient governments, dividing the world into 'bad' and 'good'. Special rapporteurs and so-called independent experts have assumed the role of quasi-investigative and quasi-judicial bodies: they directly interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states. The question is: on what basis? Why are some countries examined under a magnifying glass, while others find themselves in the 'blind spot' of the Council? After all, there are no ideal countries, as the universal periodic review show,” the deputy minister noted.

He emphasized that all states must be subject to the same laws. However, international mechanisms have still not obliged, for example, Latvia to eliminate the institution of statelessness.

“Stateless persons continue to live there by the grace of the Latvian government, which is a member of the EU. At the same time, national minorities in Latvia are universally oppressed, deprived of the right to work and an adequate standard of living. The inhumane treatment by Lithuania and Poland of migrants and refugees striving to get into Europe on the border of Belarus and the EU has never become a subject of condemnation by the UNHRC. And what does the Council think about the ban in these countries on the activities of journalists and media outlets broadcasting alternative points of view? These are vivid examples of the selectivity that defines the work of this body. The human rights treaty bodies operate according to the same scenario," the diplomat noted.

As another example, he cited the use of unilateral coercive measures. According to Igor Sekreta, such practice defies all logic from the point of view of human rights. Sanctions affect not only the citizens of the affected states, but also, paradoxically, the citizens of the countries that initiate such illegal sanctions.

“This year provides a very telling example. While residents of supposedly prosperous Europe are forced to save on heating, yet still pay exorbitant, huge electricity bills due to the cold winter this year, Belarus, despite unprecedented illegal sanctions pressure, guided by the interests of its citizens, is postponing the scheduled increase in utility tariffs during the cold period. The state is consciously taking on the financial burden to protect families, pensioners, ordinary people – the vulnerable groups of the population,” the Belarusian diplomat said.
 
So while Europe is paying for political miscalculations with rising prices and a declining standard of living, Belarus’ priorities remain unchanged: stability, social protection, and support for its citizens. “This clearly demonstrates the difference in approaches and the difference in values that are being discussed so much in this hall these days. It is no secret that the UN is currently in a challenging situation. A contradictory and divisive human rights agenda has become the main reason for this state of affairs in our organization. Not reduced funding, not the actions of individual states, including the United States, but precisely this divisive human rights agenda. Because this area, more than any other, is full of costly and useless mandates,” Igor Sekreta stressed.
 
The Belarusian diplomat urged forum participants to honestly acknowledge that further spending of the UN budget on mechanisms that do not deliver practical results cannot be justified politically, financially, or morally.
 
“Today, states are once again being forced into a global reform accompanied by cuts, optimization, liquidation, and so on, in the hope that this will help us restore efficiency, including in our body here, the Human Rights Council. But reform also costs money! And, as a rule, in the pursuit of optimization, the most important areas suffer: development matters, social projects, support for vulnerable groups (children, the elderly, people with disabilities). The truth is that no institutional changes, cuts, or optimizations will yield results unless the main systemic problem is addressed. And that problem lies not in the formal structure or status of the Council, but in how states use this body and what agenda they bring to it,” the deputy minister said.
 
According to him, as long as countries bring their bilateral disagreements and geopolitical disputes into the international human rights agenda, often hiding behind it, and Council members themselves undermine the principles of impartiality and cooperation, the situation will not improve.
 
“The Human Rights Council does not need minor changes, but a return of all states to the basic principles. Let me remind you: respect for the sovereign equality of states, rejection of interference in internal affairs, and rejection of the use of human rights as a tool of pressure. Only under these conditions will the Council be able to preserve its legitimacy in the international system of protecting and promoting human rights,” Igor Sekreta emphasized.
 
He added that modern Belarus is a stable state firmly following the path of sustainable development. The country proceeds from a simple principle: human rights begin with the right to live with dignity, under a peaceful sky, to receive quality education, decent wages, highly qualified medical care, and social support. And most importantly, to be confident in tomorrow for oneself and one’s children.
 
“This year has been declared the Year of Women in Belarus, which will strengthen the role of women in the sustainable development of society. This is exactly what Ms. Baerbock spoke about at the opening of our session. We are already working on this. The experience of Belarusians, who today are more united than ever, shows that no sanctions can stop a country that is confidently moving toward its goals and building a future focused on progress, stability, and the well-being of its citizens. We will continue to contribute to ensuring a safe and fair world. We call on everyone not to neglect the potential of dialogue. After all, it is so simple,” the diplomat concluded.

 

 

 

Międzynarodowe Radio Białoruś

Радио "Беларусь" / Radio Belarus
 
Internet broadcasts
Now Playing:
01.40 News (EN)

Next:
15.00 News (EN)


Internetcast Schedule
Satellite Schedule (see satellite parameters here)
 
COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS


Dear
English Service
Radio Belarus,

Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus.
We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented.
We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.
Please send some program schedule (A19), Calendar , sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.
21st June was fifth International Yoga Day observed across the world. The theme for Yoga Day 2019 was "Yoga for Climate Action”. On this day, which is dedicated to inner and outer well-being of human body, people across the world practice yoga in groups. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga, a physical, mental and spiritual practice.
We send you some photos related the program which was held in our area on the occasion of International Yoga Day. Our club members are also practice some Yoga.
We are waiting for your reply.

With best wishes,
SHIVENDU PAUL
PRESIDENT
METALI LISTENERS' CLUB
INDIA

Answer:

Dear Shivendu Paul and Metali Listeners' Club,

dthank you for your comment! We'll send you some of our souvenirs ASAP.
Stay tuned and 73,
RBI

Hallo Radio Belarus,

ja der Dieter Leupold ist jetzt auch hier im Gästebuch vertreten... Super, bald sind wir alle zusammen hier im "Belarus Hörerclub", Dieter könnte 1.Vorsitzender werden und Jana und Elena Ehrernmitglieder, Helmut Matt Schriftführer, Alfred Albrecht Beisitzer und ich mache Hausmeister:-) Lutz Winkler wie fit bist Du bereits wieder, für Dich finden wir auch eine nette Aufgabe:-) Beste Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende.

Dietmar

Answer:

Lieber Dietmar,

das stimmt, für alle finden wir im Hörerklub eine Aufgabe!:)
Liebe Grüße und einen guten Start in die Woche!

I recently learned my surname is not Polish, but Belarusian. I heard you on shortwave in the past and am so happy to listen online in English. We hear nothing about Belarus here in the US so I am so glad to learn about your country. Keep on broadcasting in English. I also joined the Hoererklub on Facebook as I can understand German. If you have information or a station pennant, I will very much appreciate it.
Sheryl Paszkiewicz, 1015 Green St, Manitowoc WI 54220 USA

Answer:

Dear Sheryl, thank you very much for listening to us! We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. By the way, if you're interested, you can participate in our "The Old Country's Loving Call" project and send a greeting to Belarus. You can find more detailed information at http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/hukaje_eng

Also, in case you like sports, here's the link to an international competition of ours "My Greetings to 2nd European Games" http://www.radiobelarus.by/en/content/games_eng

73 from the entire staff of RBI! Прывiтанне з Малой Радiзмы :)

Hello from Birmingham United Kingdom!

My name is Michael.

I really enjoyed listening to your program on the Hotbird satellite 13e. I very much love listening to your news and current affairs.
Ask you to send me a small gifts. I hope you guys are all good.

Lots of love from UK

Especially enjoying learning about Belarus. History and culture

Michael Rogers

Flat 2 463 City road Birmingham

B17 8LG

United Kingdom

Answer:

Michael,

thank you very much for listening to us! We're glad that you enjoy our programs. We'll send you some of our souvenirs as soon as we can. Best regards and stay tuned!

Hello. I am a new listener to your English service. I listen on the Radio 1 News app. I enjoyed listening to the news. Do you have any information on shortwave broadcasts you can send me?

Thank you,

Joe Cosimo

23 Ivy Ln, Dupont, PA 18641 U.S.A.

Answer:

Dear Joe, thank you for listening to Radio Belarus International! We're glad that you enjoyed our news. RBI broadcasts on shortwave only in German on 6005 and 3985 kHz. News and programs in English are available via our website and satellites. We'll also send you a postcard and a small souvenir as soon as we can. 73!

Hello,

My name is Younes Lazazi, I am from Algeria.
I am very happy that radio Belarus has started broadcasting in Arabic.
I would like to receive stickers and printed matter of the station and the Arabic and french services if possible.
My address:

Monsieur Younes Lazazi 14 rue Maza Boualem El-Harrach 16009 Alger Algérie

Thank you.

Answer:

Dear Younes Lazazi,

we're happy that you like our boradcasts. We'll send you some of our printed materials via mail in the nearest future. 73!

Dear English Service Radio Belarus,

Greetings to all staff and listeners of English Service of Radio Belarus. We listen your webcast program. Your program quality is very nice. Your website is colorful & documented. We liked your programs, News, and Current Affairs Program. We are interested about Culture, life style of Belarusian people, historical places, Tourist attraction and destination of Belarus.

Please send some program schedule, sticker, view card, Promotional items of Radio Belarus for our club members and students.

We are waiting for your reply.

With best wishes,

SHIVENDU PAUL

President

Metali Listeners' Club

India

Answer:

Dear Shivendu Paul,

thank you very much for listening to us! Your club is among our most dedicated listeners. We will send you some of our promotional products as soon as possible. 73!

Hello!

Did the arabic programmes start? I don't see them on your Internetcast schedule page. Thanks!

Answer:

Hello! The Arabic programmes have been on air since October, every Monday. You can see the schedule and listen to them on our Arabic page http://radiobelarus.by/ar

Frequencies
 

FM transmitters and frequencies:

Rakitnitsa - 106.2 MHz
Hrodna - 95.7 MHz
Svislach - 104.4 MHz
Heraniony - 99.9 MHz
Braslau - 107.7 MHz
Miadzel - 102.0 MHz


Satellite broadcasting:

see satellite parameters here

 

Broadcasts