US Helsinki Commission to hold hearing on situation in Belarus ahead of presidential election :: Charter'97 :: News

The US Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, will hold a hearing on the situation in Belarus ahead of the presidential election coming later this month.

The Commission`s March 8 hearing will examine developments in Belarus in the lead up to the elections, including the pre-election crackdown, efforts to foster democracy and civil society, the international community`s increased focus on the country, as well as post-election policy options, according to the organization`s press office.

The hearing is expected to be attended by David J. Kramer, deputy assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State; Stephen B. Nix, regional program director at the International Republican Institute; Rodger Potocki, senior program officer for East Central Europe at the National Endowment for Democracy; and other representatives of NGOs.

The situation in Belarus topped the agenda of a briefing held by the US Helsinki Commission with the attendance of European Parliament members this past February.