Brussels, 25/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 24 September, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle and President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz criticised the way in which parliamentary elections were held in Belarus last weekend. The “parliamentary elections represent yet another missed opportunity to conduct elections in line with international standards in Belarus”, Ashton and Füle said in a joint press release, regretting “an overall climate of repression and intimidation”. They encouraged the authorities to take measures to “fully” implement Belarus' international commitments to democratic principles and human rights.
For his part, Schulz “deeply regrets that parliamentary elections in Belarus have yet again failed to meet international standards of fair and transparent polls”. He described the elections as “a mockery of a democratic ballot”. Schulz also called on the EU to “finally” devise “an effective strategy” for how to react in the face of human rights violations and to help the people and civil society.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observation mission has shown that the elections were neither free nor impartial, even if a few improvements in comparison with other elections were observed. “A free election depends on people being free to speak, organise and run for office, and we didn't see that in this campaign”, said the coordinator, Matteo Mecacci. He added that there was no competition from the outset. The mission also highlights that many observers were not able to witness the counting of the votes or they gave a negative assessment of it.
The electoral commission of Belarus rejected the opinion of the observation mission in advance, judging that it would only be negative.
All but one of the 110 seats were filled by candidates in favour of the regime of President Lukashenko from the first round of the parliamentary elections, boycotted by the opposition. The participation rate was apparently 74%. In the opinion of the opposition, the results of this participation rate were falsified.
The situation in Belarus will be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 15 October, when the sanctions against Minsk will be reexamined. (CG/transl.fl)