11.04.2012
EU sanctions against Belarus contradict constitutions of EU countries
MINSK, 11 April (BelTA) – The bans introduced by the European Union against individuals and companies from Belarus conflict with the international law and constitutions of European and other countries, reads the statement of the Presidium of the National Bar Association of Belarus, BelTA learnt from Chairman of the association Viktor Chaichits.
All international laws say that freedom of movement is an integral part of the freedom of the individual. Any restrictions of the freedom of movement can be imposed only by law.
“It is saddening that the violation of inviolable laws the humankind has been developing for centuries comes from individual European citizens who impose travel bans on Belarusian citizens represented by government officials and introduce trade restrictions on companies. They do it disregarding the law, court verdicts, international conventions and their own constitutions,” the statement reads.
Analyzing international laws signed by all European countries, lawyers conclude that all the bans imposed on Belarus’ government officials and restrictions on legal persons are not only illegal and ungrounded, but will lead to irreversible consequences for the European Union as well.
“It is impossible to ignore the fact that damage is done to the economic development of states and the interests of ordinary people. Thus they cultivate legal nihilism and lack of respect for the rule of law as voluntarism shown in some countries of Europe inevitably leads to disrespect for the law and order in each state,” reads the statement.
Belarusian lawyers view the travel bans against Belarusian judges as attempt to pressure judges by the power of Europe’s opinion. Such pressure is as dangerous as direct bribery or “telephone justice”. “Judges are in the forefront of the fight against crime. They need public support not bans,” says the statement.
The lawyers emphasize that the right to freedom of movement has been recognized by the international community and enshrined in international instruments: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and to choosing their place of residence within the borders of each state, has the right to leave any country, including one's own and to return to one's country. Freedom of movement is enshrined in the constitutions of the countries. It is an essential part of the status of citizens, including the European Union. “You cannot proclaim democracy and violate the law at the same time,” reads the statement.
All international laws say that freedom of movement is an integral part of the freedom of the individual. Any restrictions of the freedom of movement can be imposed only by law.
“It is saddening that the violation of inviolable laws the humankind has been developing for centuries comes from individual European citizens who impose travel bans on Belarusian citizens represented by government officials and introduce trade restrictions on companies. They do it disregarding the law, court verdicts, international conventions and their own constitutions,” the statement reads.
Analyzing international laws signed by all European countries, lawyers conclude that all the bans imposed on Belarus’ government officials and restrictions on legal persons are not only illegal and ungrounded, but will lead to irreversible consequences for the European Union as well.
“It is impossible to ignore the fact that damage is done to the economic development of states and the interests of ordinary people. Thus they cultivate legal nihilism and lack of respect for the rule of law as voluntarism shown in some countries of Europe inevitably leads to disrespect for the law and order in each state,” reads the statement.
Belarusian lawyers view the travel bans against Belarusian judges as attempt to pressure judges by the power of Europe’s opinion. Such pressure is as dangerous as direct bribery or “telephone justice”. “Judges are in the forefront of the fight against crime. They need public support not bans,” says the statement.
The lawyers emphasize that the right to freedom of movement has been recognized by the international community and enshrined in international instruments: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to freedom of movement and to choosing their place of residence within the borders of each state, has the right to leave any country, including one's own and to return to one's country. Freedom of movement is enshrined in the constitutions of the countries. It is an essential part of the status of citizens, including the European Union. “You cannot proclaim democracy and violate the law at the same time,” reads the statement.