Nordic Council: The West should respond to the lack of change in Belarus

President of the Nordic Council supported the request to release of political prisoners.

The statement by the Belarusian electoral commission that it will make no changes to the electoral system before the country's elections in September calls for a reaction from the democratic world", says the President of the Nordic Council, Kimmo Sasi, who is now calling for free and open elections in Belarus.

"The situation in Belarus before the election in September this year demands a reaction from the surrounding world. As democratic neighbours, the Nordic countries demand an election campaign with freedom of expression and respect for human rights, and an open and fair election in Belarus.

This statement from the President of the Nordic Council underlines the call from the political committee in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to the Belarusian authorities to create political space for a democratic election campaign with freedom of expression and respect for human rights.

The MEPs describe their unease at the continuing arrests of journalists, political opponents of current policy and defenders of human rights. They reiterate their demand for the release of the country's political prisoners.

"We agree with the MEPs in their view that openness to dissidents is a good measure of a country's democratic maturity", says Kimmo Sasi. Belarus must stop designating opposition as terrorism and begin preparations for an open and lawful election.

The Nordic Council concurs with those who demand that Belarus opens up to allow international observers charged with protecting the fundamental rights of citizens for a democratic election with free assembly and freedom of expression.