The bill provides for the termination of Belarusian participation in the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of December 16, 1966. The Protocol establishes a mechanism for the submission and consideration by the UN Human Rights Committee of complaints by individuals as to violations of their rights.
The official reason, voiced by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambrazevich Y.G., is the following: "Arbitrary extension of the powers of the said committee, creating additional unreasonable obligations for the state, which it had not accepted when it acceded to the international act".
At the same time, the Belarusian side will continue to focus on preserving its status as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The main principle for Belarus in "protection and cooperation" in the field of human rights is... non-interference in internal affairs.
What denunciation of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights could lead to: read Natalia Matskevich’s commentary here (written in Russian).
