Secretary general of German ruling party expresses criticism of Belarus` human rights record 18:09, 25/01/2007
The secretary general of Germany`s ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Ronald Pofalla, expressed criticism of Belarus` human rights record. In an interview with BelaPAN, he said that the CDU was concerned about what he called flagrant violations of human rights, the lack of freedom of expression and the conviction of political dissidents on politically motivated charges in the country.
"We demand the release of all political prisoners," he said.
When asked about the possibility of dialogue between Belarus and the EU, he said that the EU could move toward it if Belarus fulfilled its commitments and certain conditions, such as the release of political prisoners.
Mr. Pofalla arrived in Minsk earlier in the day. He visited the office of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee to express his support for the human rights organization, which is facing eviction.
He said that Germany had been following all reports from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee with a "great interest" and strongly opposed the ongoing crackdown on the group.
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