MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

9.2.2006

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Konrad Szymański and Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the situation in Belarus

B6‑0122/2006

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Belarus

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus,

–

having regard to the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

of 26 January 2006,

–  having regard to the European Council's resolution of 30 January 2006,

–  having regard to Rule 115 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas in March 2006 Belarus will hold a presidential election and the incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko, accused by the international community of violations of human rights, is running for a third term,

B.  whereas the presidential and parliamentary elections of 2000, 2001 and 2004 in Belarus were criticised by the OSCE for not meeting international standards,

C.  whereas on 8 February 2006 the territorial branch of the Central Electoral Commission in Hrodna Oblast annulled signatures collected by the electoral committee of the main opposition candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich in 10 out of 17 districts,

D.  whereas the Belarus authorities are creating obstacles to the campaigning of the independent candidates, such as extremely short campaign time limits, extremely low financial limits, restricted access to both public and private media, and dependency on the local authorities for choosing venues for meetings with voters, while the incumbent president has practically unlimited access to the media,

E.  whereas opposition representatives are almost entirely excluded from participation in the election commissions,

F.  whereas three independent candidates have already withdrawn from the presidential campaign in protest at the lack of equal democratic conditions for the candidates,

G.  whereas the Belarus authorities have adopted new regulations imposing restrictions on freedom of travel both by Belarus citizens abroad and foreign visitors to Belarus,

H.  whereas the Belarus authorities have launched a campaign accusing some democratic countries which support the opposition of destabilising the political situation in the country and recruiting spies,

I.  whereas a new project has been launched by the Commission aiming at supporting democratic organisation and freedom of information in Belarus, including setting up radio stations in Belarusian and Russian,

J.  whereas the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called for a joint strategy with the EP and the OSCE on Belarus,

K.  whereas no improvement has been noted with regard to investigations into 'disappearances', freedom of speech, freedom of assembly or minority rights,

1.  Expresses its serious concern at the obstacles being created vis-à-vis the opposition candidates, which drastically limit their possibilities of campaigning against the incumbent president;

2.  Calls on the Belarus authorities to respect the international democratic standards of the electoral process and to implement the recommendations made inter alia by the OSCE and the Council of Europe, in order to guarantee a free and fair electoral process;

3.  Is alarmed at the refusal of the Electoral Commission in Hrodna to register the opposition candidates, and insists that the international observers must have access to all documents of the Central Electoral Commission relevant to registering candidates;

4.  Demands that the election commission members or observers designated by the opposition as well as the international observers should have the right to be present during the voting and ballot-counting at every polling station;

5.  Calls on the Belarus authorities to allow broader access to public media and not to restrict access to private media for the candidates;

6.  Calls on the Belarus government to lift the limitations on freedom of travel for Belarus citizens as well as for foreign nationals;

7.  Reiterates its demands concerning guarantees of freedom of speech, association and assembly for the opposition and for minorities as well as a transparent investigation into the 'disappearances' of opposition leaders;

8.  Calls on the Council and Commission to increase their pressure and diplomatic actions aimed at supporting the development of democracy in Belarus, including considering extending the sanctions if the election does not meet democratic standards;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Governments and Parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of Belarus, and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.