Belarus: European Parliament criticizes Minsk over elections
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 October 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Belarus: European Parliament criticizes Minsk over elections, 26 October 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5090e5ae23.html [accessed 23 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 26, 2012
By RFE/RL
Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka speaks to journalists after casting a ballot in Minsk in the September 23 voting.
STRASBOURG, France – The European Parliament has strongly criticized the recent parliamentary elections in Belarus, noting they failed to meet many basic democratic standards.
In a resolution backed by the chamber's main political groups, lawmakers on October 26 vowed not to recognize the results of the September 23 vote.
The resolution also noted with regret the decision to refuse entry visas to members of the European Parliament.
The text urges Belarusian authorities "to review their actions, improve and upgrade the electoral legislation and conduct new, free and fair parliamentary elections."
There is also an appeal to create fair conditions for all electoral candidates and to ensure transparency during the vote counting process.
President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's allies won all the seats in parliament as most opposition parties boycotted the vote.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
