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Euro-MP protests over elections in Europe's Soviet remnant, Belarus.
March 17, 2006 4:59 PM
As presidential elections are held in Belarus on Sunday (March 19th), Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman and MEP for London Baroness Sarah Ludford will join protesters outside the Belarusian embassy in London. She said:
"Belarus is the last remnant of Soviet dictatorship in Europe. Its democratic record is so bad that it is the only European country with which the EU has not signed a partnership and cooperation agreement."
"The fact that EU observers were allowed into Belarus during the 2001 presidential elections but have been banned from this one shows that repression has actually got worse."
"EU ministers must follow the European Parliament's recommendation that, while contacts with democratic forces should be increased, the assets of Belarusian officials should be frozen and their visas denied unless these elections live up to internationally recognized standards."
Note for editors
Opposition members have been imprisoned on trumped-up charges, attacks on journalists and human rights activists continue, and further restrictions placed on citizens travelling abroad. Opponents have died in mysterious circumstances. An 'anti-revolution' law gives the authorities the power to imprison anyone supporting street protest or briefing international organisations on the political situation in Belarus.
Observers from the EU and Council of Europe have been banned, but the EU has encouraged and helped fund the broadcasting of independent news into Belarus.
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