German government should increase support of Belarus` opposition parties in run-up to elections :: Charter'97 :: News

Germany`s Social Democratic Party and Alliance 90/The Greens suggest that the German government should more actively support Belarus` opposition parties, independent media and non-governmental organizations in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in the country, said the press office of the German parliament on Thursday.

In their report to the Bundestag, the parties urge the government to work so that the elections will become a starting point for the removal of the current authoritarian regime in Belarus.

The European Union, the Council of Europe and the OSCE are also appealing to the Belarusian authorities to hold the parliamentary elections in the country in accordance with the organizations` standards, but the authorities have failed even to create necessary conditions for holding free and fair elections and the referendum on the constitutional change, the parties note, citing ballot-access denials to many representatives of opposition parties.

The German government is also urged to use its influence for the release of imprisoned opposition figures in Belarus.

The parties stress that Belarus` high-profile disappearances should be investigated by an international commission.

"Belarus and the EU countries may become politically closer to each other only if democratic rule is established in the country as a result of free and fair elections," they say.