OSCE Chairman-in-Office issues statement on situation in Belarus

BERN, 18 October 1996 - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, the Swiss Federal Councillor Flavio Cotti, issued the following statement today:

From 14 to 16 October 1996, an OSCE team of experts visited Belarus at the request of the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The mandate given to them by the Chairman-in-Office included a discussion with the authorities of Belarus on legal and constitutional issues, including the question of a referendum proposed to be held on 7 November 1996.

Having heard a preliminary report by the team of experts, the Chairman-in-Office expresses his serious concern with regard to the evolution of the situation in legal and constitutional fields in Belarus.

The Chairman-in-Office considers in particular that the so-called "People's Congress" and the other demonstration due to take place in Minsk on 19 October 1996, could contribute to a further deterioration of the atmosphere in the country and, eventually, lead to violence. Such an atmosphere would not be conducive to the sound deliberation and debate which is required for contemplating major constitutional changes. Such constitutional changes as have been proposed must be the fruit of a process of dialogue including all interested elements of society and can only take place in an atmosphere conducive to such a dialogue.

The Chairman-in-Office therefore urges all parties of Belarus to ensure that these events planned on 19 October 1996, if they are to go ahead, be held in a peaceful atmosphere. He would also call upon all authorities to enter into a constructive dialogue on the present legislative and constitutional difficulties.

The Chairman-in-Office, together with the OSCE Troika and the OSCE community is ready to further assist the authorities of Belarus to overcome the present difficulties and foster a stable democracy based on the rule of law and the respect for human rights in the country.