BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

01/06/2005

Statement of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner concerning Belarus

I am seriously concerned by the sentencing of Mr Statkevich and Mr Severinets to three years of corrective labour for organizing a peaceful rally after the referendum in October 2004. The referendum failed to comply with the international standards for democratic elections.

This sentence cannot in any way be considered proportionate.

As a Member of the OSCE, Belarus is committed to the principles of democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. I call upon the Belarusian authorities to fully respect these commitments.

Source:

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/658&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en


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