Events

10 Sep 2020

Political situation in Belarus discussed with OSCE PA

An archive photo

MINSK, 10 September (BelTA) – An online meeting between Chairman of the Standing Committee on International Affairs of the House of Representatives, head of the National Assembly’s delegation to the OSCE PA Andrei Savinykh and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli took place on 10 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the House of Representatives.

The parties discussed the current political situation in Belarus. Andrei Savinykh said that the presidential election in Belarus was held on 9 August. The presidential election was recognized valid and, according to the protocol of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, was won by incumbent President Aleksandr Lukashenko. His victory was also proved by independent experts, in particular, by the results of the exit polls conducted by representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Sweden and Serbia. “Nevertheless, the results of the election were perceived by a part of the Belarusian society as counterproductive, which led to protests, including unauthorized mass events, violence against law enforcement officers, and riots in the streets. There is evidence that these actions are organized and financed from outside, which is an interference in the internal affairs of the state,” he said.

When George Tsereteli asked about the number of detained and arrested citizens, the MP said that the overwhelming majority of detainees have already been released, and some of them have received only fines for violating public order. With regard to cases of abuse of force, a ministerial working group has been set up to study all the incidents.

According to the MP, the Belarusian authorities are aware of the urgent need for political reforms in the country, including the need to vest the parliament and government with more powers, and the need to amend the electoral legislation and laws governing mass events. Such amendments will be considered through a broad public discussion of the new version of the country’s main law, with the involvement of the existing political parties and public associations with official status.

When the OSCE PA president asked whether the Coordination Council would participate in such a discussion, Andrei Savinykh stressed that the legal status of this entity is not clear, and the rhetoric of its representatives is not constructive, which does not allow the authorities to hold negotiations. Political parties, public and professional associations officially registered in the country need to take part in the discussion of the political reforms. The algorithm will be worked out to conduct such negotiations. As for Belarus' foreign partners, including those in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Belarus is ready to seek legal assistance from its colleagues, taking into account their best practices. At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue maintaining close working contacts.

Attending the event were also OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella, representatives of the OSCE PA General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and Head of the delegation of Albania (the country presiding in the OSCE) to the OSCE PA Ditmir Bushati.