B4-1129, 1144, 1177, 1191 and 1197/96

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 the reports of the ad hoc delegations of the European Parliament on the observation of the parliamentary elections in Belarus,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus,

A. noting that a serious constitutional crisis is taking place in Belarus,

B. noting, however, that an agreement has been reached on the organisation of a joint referendum on the constitution that will be held on 24 November 1996,

C. whereas, since his election, President Lukashenko has gradually instituted an authoritarian form of government by interfering in the parliamentary election campaign, limiting press freedom, prohibiting trade union activities and repressing freedom of expression as was the case during the demonstrations on the 10th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident,

D. alarmed by the closure by the Belarus authorities of independent radio and television stations in advance of the referendum on the constitution,

E. shocked by the recent detention in the region of Soligorsk of 23 trade unionists, members of the new democratic trade union confederation of Belarus,

F. noting that Belarus is facing a severe economic crisis and that very few steps have been taken to carry out the process of economic reform and transition in Belarus,

G. whereas 16 nuclear missiles still remain in Belarus, despite undertakings to hand them over to Russia for dismantlement by the end of 1996,

1. Strongly appeals to the President and the Parliament of Belarus to end their attitude of political confrontation and address jointly the need for democratic and economic reform in the country;

2. Welcomes the agreement achieved between the President and the Parliament of Belarus to organize jointly the referendum on the constitution on 24 November 1996 as an important step in the de-escalation of the confrontation policy between the President and the Parliament;

3. Strongly appeals to the President and the government of Belarus to ensure the operation of an independent judiciary, to end their authoritarian way of government and to establish a truly democratic and civic society which fully respects the rule of law and guarantees the respect of basic human and democratic rights, such as press freedom and the right of assembly, and to guarantee free access to the mass media for all political forces;

4. Urges the Belarus authorities to observe trade union rights, especially the right of association guaranteed in the ILO standards which Belarus has ratified;

5. Decides that no further steps will be taken 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. Emphasizes the importance of successful free and democratic elections for the remaining vacant seats in the Belarus Parliament and full respect for democratic procedures during the constitutional referendum, and therefore considers that an ad hoc delegation should be sent to observe these elections and the referendum;

7. Appeals to the President, Government and Parliament of Belarus finally to develop and implement a policy of economic reform in the direction of a social market economy;

8. Calls on President Lukashenko to speed up the process of removing for dismantlement the nuclear missiles remaining in Belarus;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the President, Government and Parliament of Belarus.