Meeting in a virtual forum on Tuesday, the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held an urgent debate on the crisis in Belarus, followed by the adoption of a “Declaration on an urgent need for a democratic, broad-based and inclusive political process in Belarus”.
In this text, PACE reaffirms its support for the people of Belarus “who continue to defend their fundamental rights and freedoms peacefully and responsibly”, while particularly welcoming “the active participation of women in the political process”.
It denounces the Presidential elections of 9 August and the repression suffered by opponents, while detailing relations between Belarus and the Council of Europe since 1992. At the time, the country was granted special guest status as a precursor to an accession process, but in 1997 it was deprived of this status without, however, breaking its ties with the organisation. It has ratified 12 treaties and protocols and joined 4 partial agreements: the European Pharmacopoeia, the Agreement on Sport, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission). This co-operation has recently been strengthened by two action plans, the implementation of which are facilitated by the Council of Europe information point in Minsk.
The Council of Europe could build on this foundation to participate in the political process called for by PACE, in particular by involving the Venice Commission, whose role would be crucial in the drafting of a new electoral law to be put in place before any new elections.
Ultimately, the Declaration states, “the strategic objective of the Council of Europe remains the rapprochement and accession of Belarus to the Organisation, its values and principles”. (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)