MINSK, 5 July (BelTA) – The Belarusian state cannot go against people’s will in the matter of death penalty, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the plenary session dedicated to the formal opening of the 26th OSCE PA annual session in Minsk on 5 July, BelTA has learned.
“We are urged to abolish the death penalty. We hear these recommendations, and not only hear them. However, not a single state can go against the will of its people when the overwhelming majority voted to preserve it in a referendum. No single civilized European country can do so,” Alexander Lukashenko stressed.
The head of state emphasized that Belarus has been a target of such complaints since early years of its independence. The country was urged to hold a referendum on this issue. “As a young sovereign state, we followed your recommendations, held such a referendum and got results. Now we need time to abolish it. Therefore, please do not hurry us. We know what it is and what your requirements are. I am sure that we will gradually find a solution to the issue,” Alexander Lukashenko said.