B4-1347, 1360, 1410 and 1435/96

Resolution on the situation in Belarus

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Draft Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Belarus,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus, especially its resolution of 24 October 1996 ((Minutes of that sitting, Part II, Item 12.)),

- having regard to the statements made by its ad hoc delegation to observe the situation in Belarus at the time of the referendum and parliamentary by- elections which took place on Sunday 24 November 1996,

A. whereas serious doubts must be raised about the conduct of the constitutional referendum in view of the many serious irregularities in the preparations for the vote, during the period of early voting for the referendum between 9 and 24 November 1996, and during the closing hours of the polling,

B. noting that President Lukashenko has used the results of the constitutional referendum to consolidate and enhance his authoritarian leadership, especially by extending his term in office from five to seven years and by immediately implementing the provisions of his proposal for a constitution after its approval in the constitutional referendum and contrary to the objections by the chairman of the central electoral commission who was subsequently dismissed by President Lukashenko,

C. noting that, on the basis of the referendum, a Lower House of Parliament was formed immediately which comprises 112 Members who were nominated by President Lukashenko on the sole basis of their loyalty to him,

D. noting that the remainder of the democratically elected Parliament has been virtually abolished by the President, notably by having the Parliament building closed off by security forces,

E. noting with great concern that freedom of the press, the freedom of trade- union activities, freedom of expression and the functioning of an independent judiciary have come under further threat from the President,

F. whereas during Mr Lukashenko's presidency economic reforms have come to a complete stop as well as privatisation and democratic reform,

1. Considers that the many serious irregularities that took place before and during the referendum vitiate the result;

2. Strongly condemns President Lukashenko's continuing efforts to establish an authoritarian and autocratic regime in Belarus;

3. Denounces the establishment of the new Lower House of Parliament loyal only to President Lukashenko and affirms that the only representative body in Belarus is the democratically elected Parliament;

4. Calls on the Ambassadors of the Member States in Minsk to maintain links with opposition political forces and to inform the Council, the Commission and Parliament of their situation;

5. Reconfirms its decision not to take any further steps towards the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Belarus or to further implementation of the interim agreement, until clear signals have been given by the Belarus authorities of their intention fully to respect basic democratic and human rights;

6. Furthermore calls on the Commission and the Council to interrupt all support and aid programmes to Belarus, with the exception of the TACIS democracy programme which includes measures to support a free and independent media, and calls furthermore on the Council and the Member States to use their influence in the governing bodies of other international organisations to achieve this same objective;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the President, government and democratically elected parliament of Belarus.