The draft law “On the Ratification of the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Readmission” was approved at a meeting of the fourth session of the Council of the Republic. The bill was presented by Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakou.
“The law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Belarus ensure control over migration flows and conduct deportation procedures for foreigners who violate our country’s legislation. In practice, the removal of illegal migrants is associated with certain organisational difficulties, primarily related to the willingness of other states to accept such individuals.
In this regard, it should be noted that the most effective and promising tool for countering illegal migration is the forced return of migrants through their readmission. The Republic of Belarus has concluded readmission agreements with Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey,” the Interior Ministry’s press service quoted him as saying.
He recalled the task set by Aleksandr Lukashenka to attract foreign workers to vacant jobs.
“A course has been set for developing and deepening the political dialogue between our country and Pakistan, and for strengthening interstate ties with this country. To prevent risks associated with the illegal entry and stay of Pakistani citizens in the Republic of Belarus, as well as their attempts to move illegally to the European Union, the Interior Ministry, together with the Pakistani side, drafted a readmission agreement, which was signed in Minsk on 11 April this year,” Kubrakou said.
The agreement provides for mutual obligations to accept, upon request of either party, their own citizens who have entered or are staying in the requesting state in violation of its migration legislation.
“The parties undertake to assist the officials accompanying citizens subject to readmission, as well as to protect their personal data,” the interior minister said.
According to him, a feature of this agreement is the absence of provisions for the readmission of third-country nationals and stateless persons who have entered or are staying illegally in the requesting state, as well as the transit of expelled persons through the territories of the contracting parties.
The ministry assured that the adoption of the law and implementation of the agreement “will not entail negative financial, economic or political consequences”.
Kubrakou stated that Belarus is ready to accept all those who wish to live and work in the country, but the toughest measures, including deportation, will be applied to those who violate the law.