The NAM lawyer Mykhail Kyrylyuk on Euroradio
Without giving Belarus the status of occupied territory — as of today Belarus is already recognised as a co-aggressor, which gives grounds for Ukraine to subsequently demand reparations from Belarus. Without the recognition of Belarus as an occupied territory — there is no reason to demand the withdrawal of Russian troops. As of today, we see only a demand for a cease-fire. The liberation of Belarus without the withdrawal of Russian troops seems impossible today.
What the status of occupied territory allows:
Prohibit the occupier from annexing the territory of Belarus or otherwise altering its political status, thereby protecting Belarus' sovereignty.
Demand an immediate end to the occupation and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Belarus.
Hold the occupier responsible for hostile acts from the territory of Belarus.
Ukrainians who are not immersed in the situation in Belarus may conclude that the Belarusians are aggressing in their direction. They have the right to do so, because there are planes and missiles flying from our territory and bombing their homes.
It is our job to explain to them that the missiles are flying against the will of the Belarusian people, who do not agree with this occupation policy. We have to talk to each other, to communicate our position.
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