Brussels, 30/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - Just a few weeks ahead of regional elections in Belarus, scheduled for 25 April, the EU has voiced concern about the pressure that the country's authorities are putting on independent media and civil society. In a declaration published on Tuesday 30 March, EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton, expresses “grave concern” on behalf of the EU27 about the recent harassment by the regime under Alexandr Lukashenko against representatives of independent media, civil society and opposition organisations. The EU also criticises the restrictions on the freedom of assembly, association and expression, and deplores the continued difficulties with the registration of NGOs and opposition parties. The EU attaches great importance on the “good conduct” of the local elections on 25 April and expects that the Belarusian authorities will do their utmost to ensure the necessary environment for democratic elections that meet OSCE and other international standards. It regrets, however, that the way in which local election commissions are set up raises questions on adequate representation of democratic and independent NGOs. Finally, the EU deplores the fact that two men were recently executed in Minsk, and stresses its strict opposition to the death penalty. Belarus is the only European country that still uses capital punishment. (H.B./transl.jl)