Andrei Sannikov: “It is important for PA OSCE not to believe empty promises of official Minsk” :: Charter'97 :: News

“Though the PA OSCE resolution repeats statements of previous resolutions on Belarus, its passing in this particular moment are of a great importance,” told Charter’97 international coordinator, a former deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Andrei Sannikov, commenting on adopting the resolution on situation in Belarus. “The official Minsk worked hard to achieve recognition of the political system existing in Belarus once again. Some statements have been made on sincere interest in improvement of relations with Europe and international organizations; attempts have been made to bargain for some meltdown of position on Belarus for release of some political prisoners, however no real steps on democratization have been made by Belarusian authorities,” Sannikov answered.

According to the human rights activist, it is important for the PA OSCE not to believe empty promises of the official Minsk and to admit that there has been no progress in respect for and observance of human rights and freedoms in Belarus. “In other words, the resolution has confirmed principles on which the international community is ready to build relations with Belarus. They are following the elections standards existing in Belarus, respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is important to note that the resolution tells about the proposals of the EU as the most promising way of improvement of relations with Europe and democratic states,” Andrei Sannikov underlined.

As we have informed, the PA OSCE resolutions urges the Belarusian government “to use the EU good neighborhood initiative,” follow international commitments and keep to principles of free and democratic state, including measures on improving the situation in the in official document of the European Commission. The PA OSCE urges the Belarusian authorities to “amend the Electoral Code and ratify it”, and invited the OSCE “to take part in the observation at all future elections”.

Besides, the PA OSCE calls upon the government of Belarus “to respect a right for freedom of expression of opinions and for access to independent information in national and international mass media”. The document also urges to respect rights of NGOs, not to interfere with their legal activities, not to harass or persecute NGO members, and to allow them getting international aid. The PA OSE calls upon the authorities “to release all political prisoners, to carry out an independent investigation or reconsider cases of the abducted”.