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OSCE PA Working Group on Belarus Visits Minsk and Gomel
MINSK 29 May 2003
MINSK, 28 May 2003 - Three members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Working Group on Belarus, Ms. Uta Zapf (Germany), the Chair of the Group, Mr. Urban Ahlin (Sweden), and Lord Ponsonby (United Kingdom) visited Gomel and Minsk from 25-28 May 2003. This visit was the first since the February 2003 decision of the Standing Committee of the OSCE PA to admit the Belarusian National Assembly into the Parliamentary Assembly. It was organized with the assistance of the now fully-functioning OSCE Office in Minsk, which has had a promising start to its activities in Belarus.
The visit aimed to look ahead to preparations for the 2004 parliamentary elections and to continue to explore ways to promote dialogue between Members of the National Assembly, opposition voices within the National Assembly, opposition political parties and civil society representatives. In this connection, the delegation came to Minsk with concrete proposals to conduct a round table discussion on Belarus on the sidelines of the OSCE PA Annual Session in Rotterdam, as well as a series of seminars in Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 devoted to election-related issues. These proposals were well received by the delegation's interlocutors.
For the first time, the delegation traveled outside of Minsk to the city of Gomel where the Members met with local government officials and civil society representatives and learned about the lingering effects of the Chernobyl disaster as well as local political developments. The Group was especially impressed by the important work being carried out by NGO representatives there, despite the regular interference of the local authorities into their work. The delegation was especially concerned by what appeared to be a politically-motivated court case which could result in the liquidation of one local NGO, Civil Initiatives. The Group was likewise informed of other similar cases, including the court case aimed against the Grodno-based NGO Ratusha. "The development of civil society is an integral part of the democratization process and the work of NGOs needs to be strongly encouraged rather than directly impeded," stated Ms. Zapf in her meeting with civil society representatives. She expressed the concerns of the delegation during subsequent meetings with Mr. Latypov, the Head of the Presidential Administration, and Mr. Martynov, the Foreign Minister.
During the course of the visit in Minsk, the delegation met with Mr. Voitovich, Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Mr. Popov, Chairman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Konoplev, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, as well as other parliamentarians, including from the Respublika group. From the government, the delegation met with Mr. Latypov, the Head of the Presidential Administration, Mr. Martynov, the Foreign Minister as well as Ms. Yermoshina, the Chair of the Central Election Commission. The delegation also met with representatives of opposition parties and civic organizations, as well as OSCE Ambassadors. Finally, the delegation met with family members of those who have disappeared and been imprisoned in circumstances widely believed to be politically motivated.
"I am encouraged by the openness and readiness of our interlocutors to consider amendments to the current Electoral Code," stated Ms. Zapf following meetings with Belarusian officials. In particular, the delegation expressed the need for changes which would allow for a wider representation of political forces in the electoral commissions at all levels, increased opportunities for both domestic and international observation, and greater limits and more controls over early and mobile voting. Such changes, together with significant improvements in the implementation of the electoral legislation and other criteria, could lead to a situation in which the new Members of the National Assembly would be composed of parliamentarians who, according to Mr. Ahlin, would be "democratically elected and respected by other Members of Parliament throughout the OSCE."
Despite the possibility for some forward movement on changes in the Electoral Code, the delegation was most disappointed to learn of significant regression in other areas. In particular, the delegation was discouraged to learn that there appears to be limited progress on the draft media law and that independent and opposition newspapers and journalists continue to be harassed. Of most immediate concern is the case of Mr. Ivashkevich, the editor of the newspaper Rabochy, who continues to be imprisoned on criminal defamation charges, which are anachronistic in today's Europe. Restrictions on demonstrations and the recent detention of peaceful demonstrators also represent a serious step backwards. Finally, the delegation must once again express its deep disappointment that the authorities appear to have completely abandoned the cases of the disappeared political figures without having ever provided any satisfactory answers as to the circumstances surrounding these disappearances. The delegation seriously hopes that the authorities will take measures to address these concerns and thus contribute to an environment which would be more suitable for the conducting of free and fair elections in 2004.
The visit aimed to look ahead to preparations for the 2004 parliamentary elections and to continue to explore ways to promote dialogue between Members of the National Assembly, opposition voices within the National Assembly, opposition political parties and civil society representatives. In this connection, the delegation came to Minsk with concrete proposals to conduct a round table discussion on Belarus on the sidelines of the OSCE PA Annual Session in Rotterdam, as well as a series of seminars in Fall 2003 and Spring 2004 devoted to election-related issues. These proposals were well received by the delegation's interlocutors.
For the first time, the delegation traveled outside of Minsk to the city of Gomel where the Members met with local government officials and civil society representatives and learned about the lingering effects of the Chernobyl disaster as well as local political developments. The Group was especially impressed by the important work being carried out by NGO representatives there, despite the regular interference of the local authorities into their work. The delegation was especially concerned by what appeared to be a politically-motivated court case which could result in the liquidation of one local NGO, Civil Initiatives. The Group was likewise informed of other similar cases, including the court case aimed against the Grodno-based NGO Ratusha. "The development of civil society is an integral part of the democratization process and the work of NGOs needs to be strongly encouraged rather than directly impeded," stated Ms. Zapf in her meeting with civil society representatives. She expressed the concerns of the delegation during subsequent meetings with Mr. Latypov, the Head of the Presidential Administration, and Mr. Martynov, the Foreign Minister.
During the course of the visit in Minsk, the delegation met with Mr. Voitovich, Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Mr. Popov, Chairman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Konoplev, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, as well as other parliamentarians, including from the Respublika group. From the government, the delegation met with Mr. Latypov, the Head of the Presidential Administration, Mr. Martynov, the Foreign Minister as well as Ms. Yermoshina, the Chair of the Central Election Commission. The delegation also met with representatives of opposition parties and civic organizations, as well as OSCE Ambassadors. Finally, the delegation met with family members of those who have disappeared and been imprisoned in circumstances widely believed to be politically motivated.
"I am encouraged by the openness and readiness of our interlocutors to consider amendments to the current Electoral Code," stated Ms. Zapf following meetings with Belarusian officials. In particular, the delegation expressed the need for changes which would allow for a wider representation of political forces in the electoral commissions at all levels, increased opportunities for both domestic and international observation, and greater limits and more controls over early and mobile voting. Such changes, together with significant improvements in the implementation of the electoral legislation and other criteria, could lead to a situation in which the new Members of the National Assembly would be composed of parliamentarians who, according to Mr. Ahlin, would be "democratically elected and respected by other Members of Parliament throughout the OSCE."
Despite the possibility for some forward movement on changes in the Electoral Code, the delegation was most disappointed to learn of significant regression in other areas. In particular, the delegation was discouraged to learn that there appears to be limited progress on the draft media law and that independent and opposition newspapers and journalists continue to be harassed. Of most immediate concern is the case of Mr. Ivashkevich, the editor of the newspaper Rabochy, who continues to be imprisoned on criminal defamation charges, which are anachronistic in today's Europe. Restrictions on demonstrations and the recent detention of peaceful demonstrators also represent a serious step backwards. Finally, the delegation must once again express its deep disappointment that the authorities appear to have completely abandoned the cases of the disappeared political figures without having ever provided any satisfactory answers as to the circumstances surrounding these disappearances. The delegation seriously hopes that the authorities will take measures to address these concerns and thus contribute to an environment which would be more suitable for the conducting of free and fair elections in 2004.