OSCE Chairman-in-Office issues statement on Belarus

OSLO, 3 March 1999 - The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek, is deeply concerned regarding the recent arrests of the head and members of the opposition electoral committee, and that the court issued sentences.

The arrests originates from the current constitutional dispute between the Government of Belarus and the opposition. It is, therefore, imperative that this serious constitutional dispute is resolved as soon as possible without resort to confrontational and undemocratic practices. The OSCE continues to assist the parties to the dispute in Belarus to avoid further friction and establish an inclusive political dialogue to seek agreement concerning the constitutional question in Belarus.

The Chairman-in-Office reminds the Government of Belarus of its obligations as an OSCE member state to pursue democratic principles such as freedom of assembly. He reminds both the opposition and the Government to pursue a constructive approach.