Statement by Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ad hoc Working Group on Belarus

THE HAGUE, 23 March 2000 - The Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ad hoc Working Group on Belarus, Mr. Adrian Severin (MP, Romania), today called upon the Government of Belarus to continue its efforts towards creating an inclusive, democratic political system.

"We have seen some steps forward recently- including the peaceful Freedom March-2 and efforts to organize a dialogue on the future elections," said Severin, "but we want to avoid steps backward. Any dialogue needs to involve the opposition and needs to be able to amend the recently signed electoral legislation."

The OSCE Parliamentary Working Group Chairman expressed his concern that positive developments, such as the ability of the opposition to protest without official harassment, and the efforts to create a national dialogue, could be undermined by recent official statements. "Time to organize the up-coming elections is very limited, if they are to be internationally or domestically acceptable," said Severin. "The OSCE and other international organizations stand willing to assist in the process of democratization in Belarus, but it is the responsibility of the Government to make this process meaningful."

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly created a Working Group on Belarus last year which has been extensively involved in efforts to create a dialogue between the opposition and Government of Belarus on holding free, fair and recognizable parliamentary elections in the year 2000. Recently the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Working Group Chairman travelled to Belarus, together with representatives from the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as part of an International Parliamentary Troika to encourage the dialogue process.

For further information, please contact Mr. Jan Jooren, Press Counsellor of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, e-mail press.counsellor@oscepa.dk, tel. +45 33 37 80 36, fax. +45 33 37 80 30