Belarus, EU hold first round of talks on human rights

The first round of the human rights dialogue between Belarus and the EU was organized in Brussels on July 28.

A number of issues including the creation of a human rights institute, freedom of speech, expression and assembly, death penalty, struggle with humiliation of people’s dignity and children’s rights were discussed. Belarus and the EU also touched upon cooperation in the UN.

Belarus and the European Union demonstrated their desire to conduct a profound dialogue on human rights, the Belarusian MFA reports. The negotiations have helped ‘organize a fair and respectful exchange of opinions with the purpose of further strengthening of mutual trust and cooperation’.

The head of the main department for multilateral diplomacy of the Belarusian MFA Yury Ambrazevich headed the Belarusian delegation. Director for Human Rights and Democracy at the European External Action Service Silvio Gonzato was the head of the EU delegation.