European Parliamentarians omitted words "the last dictatorship in Europe"

Today in Strasbourg the EU Parliamentarians discussed the human rights situation in Belarus, East Timor and North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to one of the authors of the Draft Resolution on Human Rights Situation in Belarus, a representative of the Christian Democratic political party of Germany, Mr. Bernd Posselt the Parliamentarians debated on these three countries separately and were not drawing parallels between them. What concerns Belarus, the Deputies admitted that "there are still mass violations of human rights in this country".

The adopted text of the Resolution on Belarus shows that the European Parliamentarians seriously paying attention to the continuous arbitrary arrests of members of civil society and opposition activists, persecution of the independent media, non-governmental organizations and protestors. They demand from the authorities to abolish the death penalty, to hold free elections and to release 'the remaining political prisoner", Alyaksandr Kazulin.

The Resolutions states, that the EU Parliament takes note of the recent release of several democratic opposition activists in Belarus. I asked Mr. Bernd Posselt whether it means that if Mr. Kazulin was released, the Belarusian authorities would fulfill one of the 12 conditions of the EU and, as a result, whether they could count on corresponding moves from Europe. 

Mr. Posselt replied, "Indeed, we very much welcome the fulfillment of the condition to release political prisoners. However we also know that one step forward is followed by several steps back in Belarus. It is not excluded that next week new people might be arrested or detained. We demand substantial changes of the situation in compliance with the existing international legislation.  Look at the rest of Europe, it has become democratic and we expect the same democratization from Belarus. Obviously, we will then take the corresponding steps to meet Belarus expectations. For instance, simplify visa formalities for Belarusian citizens willing to visit the countries of the Schengen zone".  

The correspondent asked whether European politicians stood for better access to European countries for all Belarusians or for those traveling on the official invitation only, within the framework of a specific project. Far from many Belarusians sharing democratic views invited to take part in seminars. Also, the issue of reduction of private visit visa cost was not even mentioned...

Mr. Posselt pointed out: "Everything needs to be done step by step. Everything takes time. Everyone understands that Belarus will not become a democracy already by next week. We have to start somewhere, for example, from educational, cultural, humanitarian exchange programmes, etc. Look at Macedonia, a candidate for the accession to the EU. It is an absolutely democratic country which has visa freedom only for a part of its population. Belarus still remains a country with an authoritarian regime. Lots of changes need to happen there to make it function in compliance with the democratic standards. If the regime retains, the country will stay in isolation and there is nothing that could be done about it".

Mr. Bernd Posselt said, that while the Draft Resolution on Human Rights Situation in Belarus was debated, it was decided to omit the definition "the last dictatorship in Europe". Thus, "the Parliamentarians showed their readiness for having a dialog regardless of their still critical attitude towards the Belarusian regime". As one of the drafters of the Resolution underlined, "it is not a dialogue for the sake of it. We would like it to help the Belarusian people".

by Alena Struve

svaboda.org