Lithuanian parliament to vote on critical resolution on Belarus` recent parliamentary elections, referendum :: Charter'97 :: News

The Lithuanian Seimas (parliament) will, next Tuesday, vote on a critical resolution on Belarus` October 12-17 parliamentary elections and national referendum, an official with the Seimas press office told BelaPAN. The Seimas discussed the resolution on October 28 but decided to postpone the vote.

The draft resolution expresses concern over numerous reports that Belarus` election and referendum campaign had been "accompanied by violations of universally recognized democratic standards." "The Belarusian authorities ignored the appeal of the OSCE, Council of Europe and European Union to establish relations with the opposition, ensure the real independence of the media and bring the country`s electoral regulations into line with democratic standards," the resolution says.

The document also says that Belarus` parliamentary elections and referendum cannot be regarded as free and fair.

The retaliations between the Seimas and Belarus` National Assembly "will depend on these [Belarusian] lawmakers` effort to ensure democracy and human rights in Belarus," the draft resolution says.