Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

EU urges Belarus to respect human rights during election

Tanya KOROVENKOVA, naviny.by

EU urges Belarus to respect human rights during election
The European Union calls on the Belarusian authorities to ensure respect for human rights in the course of this year’s parliamentary election, Dirk Schuebel, head of the EU Delegation to Belarus, told BelaPAN.

“The EU closely monitors the pre-electoral period and reiterates its call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms before, during and after the electoral cycle,” Mr. Schuebel said. “It equally calls to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment to exercise the right to take part in public affairs.”

Mr. Schuebel pointed out that the EU continued to encourage the Belarusian authorities to undertake “serious reform of its election law and processes” in line with recommendations made by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. He added that the EU was willing to support Belarus in this process.



According to Mr. Schuebel, the EU welcomes the Belarusian authorities’ invitation for OSCE/ODIHR representatives to observe November’s House of Representatives election.

“Their final report will be carefully considered by the EU,” he said. “Steps taken by Belarus to respect universal fundamental freedoms, rule of law and human rights remain key to shaping the EU’s future policy towards Belarus.”

“The European Union is committed to a stable, democratic and prosperous future of the country, for the benefit of the people of Belarus, and will continue its work with this objective firmly in mind,” Mr. Schuebel stressed.

The main polling day in the House of Representative election is November 17.