OSCE Chairman-in-Office concerned about hunger strike in Belarus

SOFIA, 20 June 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, expressed concern on Sunday about the health of three members of the Belarusian Parliament who have been on hunger strike since 3 June.

The OSCE has been informed about the hunger strike since the first day of the strike and shares the concerns related to the requests of the hunger strikers.

"As the hunger strike has already lasted 18 days, it seems that there is serious danger to the health of the hunger strikers," the Chairman-in-Office said.

"On 16 June, ambassadors of European Union countries represented in Minsk called on the hunger strikers to end their action for humanitarian reasons. I align myself with this appeal. I would like to see an end to the hunger strike and I hope that the relevant Belarusian institutions will deal with the demands of the three deputies in a constructive way."

The Chairman-in Office discussed the issue with the Belarusian leadership during his visit to Minsk on 8 and 9 June and asked the Belarusian authorities to resolve the situation.