03:29Mandatory credit: UNTV
The United Nations Human Rights Council agreed in Geneva, Monday, to hold a rare urgent debate on the situation in Belarus on September 18.
Twenty five members voted in favour of a motion submitted by Germany on behalf of the European Union. Venezuela and the Philippines opposed the urgent debate.
"The Human Rights Council should not stay silent on this matter," said Michael von Ungern-Sternberg, Germany's envoy, adding that the Belarusian presidential election "was held in the absence of meaningful international observation and was neither free nor fair."
The Belarusian delegate said that work was being done "to restore national harmony within the country," adding that the events which unfolded after the presidential elections were "highly politicised."
The EU accuses Belarus of human rights violation as the country has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed election on August 9 that saw President Alexander Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.
Switzerland: UN Human Right Council votes to hold urgent debate on Belarus
The United Nations Human Rights Council agreed in Geneva, Monday, to hold a rare urgent debate on the situation in Belarus on September 18.
Twenty five members voted in favour of a motion submitted by Germany on behalf of the European Union. Venezuela and the Philippines opposed the urgent debate.
"The Human Rights Council should not stay silent on this matter," said Michael von Ungern-Sternberg, Germany's envoy, adding that the Belarusian presidential election "was held in the absence of meaningful international observation and was neither free nor fair."
The Belarusian delegate said that work was being done "to restore national harmony within the country," adding that the events which unfolded after the presidential elections were "highly politicised."
The EU accuses Belarus of human rights violation as the country has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed election on August 9 that saw President Alexander Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.
Mandatory credit: UNTV
The United Nations Human Rights Council agreed in Geneva, Monday, to hold a rare urgent debate on the situation in Belarus on September 18.
Twenty five members voted in favour of a motion submitted by Germany on behalf of the European Union. Venezuela and the Philippines opposed the urgent debate.
"The Human Rights Council should not stay silent on this matter," said Michael von Ungern-Sternberg, Germany's envoy, adding that the Belarusian presidential election "was held in the absence of meaningful international observation and was neither free nor fair."
The Belarusian delegate said that work was being done "to restore national harmony within the country," adding that the events which unfolded after the presidential elections were "highly politicised."
The EU accuses Belarus of human rights violation as the country has been swept by anti-government protests following the disputed election on August 9 that saw President Alexander Lukashenko re-elected for a sixth term.