OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Working Group on Belarus visits Minsk

MINSK, 24 May 2002 - Three members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly ad hoc Working Group on Belarus, Ms. Uta Zapf (MP, Germany), the Chair of the Group, Ms. Helena Demakova (MP, Latvia), and Mr. Urban Ahlin (MP, Sweden) visited Minsk from 20-23 May 2002.

The visit was the third since the Presidential election and aimed to continue the discussions on ways in which the OSCE PA can reinvigorate a dialogue with the Belarusian authorities, as well as with other social and political forces in the country on the basis of the four criteria. The delegation regretted that the Belarusian authorities were not more willing to actively cooperate with the OSCE AMG in the organisation of the visit and that visas were not issued to the delegation members in a more timely manner.

During the course of the visit, the delegation met with Mr. Voitovich, Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Mr. Popov, Chairman of the House of Representatives, as well as other parliamentarians from the two chambers of the National Assembly. From the government, the delegation met with Mr. Khvostov, the Foreign Minister, and Mr. Podgainy, the Minister of Information. The delegation also met with the Advisory Council of Opposition Political Parties, the Republican Coordinating Council of Political Parties, research institutes, representatives of civic organisations and trade unions, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, as well as OSCE Ambassadors and representatives of international organisations. Finally, the delegation met with the family members of those who have disappeared and been imprisoned in circumstances widely believed to be politically motivated.

During the meetings with parliamentary and government officials, the delegation expressed its growing concern that the OSCE AMG, which has been functioning without a Head of Group since the departure of Ambassador Wieck in December 2001, is now also without a Deputy Head of Group since Michel Rivollier was forced to leave the country several weeks ago after his request for a renewal of his diplomatic accreditation was denied. Furthermore, the Belarusian authorities were unable to provide any positive information regarding their future intentions with regard to the work and further accreditation of the remaining personnel of the AMG. The delegation reiterated its proposal that the Belarusian authorities accept the proposed candidature of the new Head of Group, allow the AMG to continue its work on the basis of the original 1997 mandate and the relevant article of the Istanbul Summit Declaration, and discuss the details of the future work of the AMG once the new Head of Group has taken up their duties in the country. The delegation once again expressed its serious concern that Belarus' relationship with all OSCE institutions and with other European organisations will be hindered without a positive resolution to this problem.

The delegation took note of the fact that most of the legislation related to the four criteria, which has been the subject of discussion during previous visits, has not reached a stage of development where it could be considered for adoption into law, as had been previously hoped. While regretting the delay, the delegation welcomed the fact that the parliamentarians appear to be carefully reviewing all amendments submitted from a wide range of State institutions and civic groups and expresses the hope that the additional time will result in the passing of legislation which meets international standards and the implementation of which will contribute to the democratisation process. Overall, the delegation was left with the impression that the parliamentarians appear to be taking the legislative aspects of the democratisation process seriously.

During the course of its meeting with civic organisations, the delegation met in person with Mr. Klimov, recently released from prison, for the first time. The delegation welcomes his early release and urges the Belarusian authorities to fully restore his civil rights. On the other hand, the delegation expresses its concern that Professor Bandazhevsky, whose imprisonment also appears to have political motivations, is being denied the proper medicine and nutrition that his condition requires. The delegation was also disappointed to learn that there appears to be no discernible progress in the cases of the disappeared opposition politicians and journalist. Finally, the delegation was discouraged by reports from representatives of civic organisations, media outlets and trade unions that the democratisation process appears to have stagnated and, in some spheres, has even deteriorated. The delegation urges the Belarusian authorities to embark on a genuine process of dialogue with the non-governmental sector, the further, unhindered development of which is an essential component of the democratisation process. The delegation expresses its readiness to assist, in cooperation with the AMG, in any such process.