Uta Zapf about Belarus: Life has become easier

The delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) notes positive changes in a dialogue between Belarus and the West.

“We cannot say that the changes were considerable but the whole point is that they have begun. The willingness of Belarus to make such changes deserves respect,” Uta Zapf, head of the OSCE PA working group for Belarus, told journalists, Interfax reports.

According to her, it is very important that Belarus has started to discuss with the OSCE/ODIHR the election legislation and the ways of bringing it in line with European standards. U. Zapf stated that the dialogue between Belarus and the OSCE had been difficult for the last two years. She noted that the dialogue is more active now.

She added that when the delegation talked with the opposition, they note that life of oppositionists had improved, but there could been more progress.

According to U. Zapf OSCE representatives draw attention of the Belarusian authorities on need of observing human rights standards, holding of free and open elections, involving of wide social classes in political processes, securing independence of the legal system.

Head of the OSCE PA João Soares said the dialogue between Belarus and Europe should develop further. He noted that the very fact of some progress in this direction was positive.

The OSCE PA head believes that Belarus shouldn’t be isolated. According to him, the delegation has noted that the opposition doesn’t insist on tightening sanctions against Belarus.

It should be reminded that political prisoner still remain in Belarus. They are leader of the entrepreneurs’ movement Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka, and “Young Front” activist Artsyom Dubski, who is serving punishment for participation in a rally of businessmen last year.

Other young people, convicted in this case – Maksim Dashuk, Alyaksandr Charnyshou, Tatsyana Tsishkevich, Alyaksandr Barazenka, Paval Vinahradau, Mikhail Subach, Alyaksei Bondar, Mikhauil Kryvau, Mikhali Pashkevich, Alyaksandr Straltsou – are under threat of imprisonment, too.

Human rights activist Yana Palyakova, sentenced to 2.5 years of restraint of liberty, committed suicide.

Moreover, the opposition doesn’t have access to state media, and most independent newspapers don’t have an opportunity to be printed and distributed on the territory of Belarus.

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