BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

08/11/2007

Belarus Gets Rare Praise From EU After Marches

The EU presidency did however criticise Belarus for repressive practices, in particular for the imprisonment of several activists.

The European Union gave Belarus rare praise on Thursday for the way its authorities handled two opposition marches over the past month.

The EU and the United States frequently criticise President Alexander Lukashenko for ruling the ex-Soviet state with an iron grip and accuse him of shutting down media outlets, holding political prisoners and rigging elections. Thousands demonstrated last month and 1,000 more last week to denounce Lukashenko's policies. The protests were largely free of trouble and marked by a degree of restraint from the police, despite minor scuffles, according to a Reuters witness.

"The (EU) Presidency... notes with satisfaction some positive movements on Belarussian side, expressed in increased respect for the rights of assembly during the (marches)," a statement issued by the Slovene embassy in Minsk said.

The EU presidency, to be held by Slovenia next year, did however criticise Belarus for repressive practices, in particular for the imprisonment of several activists. "The ... Presidency expresses deep concern ... about those citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are considered, on the basis of expert assessments by international human rights bodies, to be political prisoners," it said. Both the EU and the United States have barred Lukashenko from entry, accusing him of rigging his re-election to a third term last year.

Lukashenko, who has called for closer ties with the West after a falling out with Russia over gas prices, says his rule has spared Belarussians the turbulence and troubles that other ex-Soviet states have experienced since the fall of Communism.

Source:

http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=96551