WRITTEN QUESTION No. 949/97 by Sören WIBE to the Commission. Arrests and blacklisting in Belarus
Date: 1997-03-13
Institutions: European Parliament, WIBE
Subjects: CIS countries, anti-discriminatory measure, democratisation, human rights, political opposition, political reform, political rights, right to demonstrate













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91997E0949

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 949/97 by Sören WIBE to the Commission. Arrests and blacklisting in Belarus  


Official Journal C 319 , 18/10/1997 P. 0201 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0949/97 by Sören Wibe (PSE) to the Commission (13 March 1997)Subject: Arrests and blacklisting in BelarusThe Belarussian Social Democratic Youth Organization (BSDY Maladaya Hramada) was amongst the organizers of a human rights demonstration that took place on 10 December 1996. Eight of its members were arrested and the next day cautioned in court. It was subsequently made clear at the university that the young people involved would not be allowed to pass their university exams on account of their political views.There have been several cases of politically motivated arrests of opposition leaders, e.g. the chairman of the Belarussian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada), who was arrested for organizing mass demonstrations. He was sentenced to 15 days' imprisonment, during which he went on hunger strike, only to be released on the orders of the Prosecutor General following a deterioration in his health.Does the Commission maintain contact and engage in dialogue with the political opposition in Belarus? Has it taken action against the President of Belarus and the way in which he persecutes the opposition?Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (17 April 1997)The Commission closely follows the Belarusian situation and specifically all forms of violations of human rights.The Commission does not have any regular contacts with the opposition in Belarus. The Commission believes that the current political situation in Belarus seriously impairs the prospects for the necessary democratic and economic reform. Based on the political and economic events over the last six months, the Community has reviewed its policies towards Belarus.More globally, the Union is gravely concerned about the political situation in Belarus, which seriously impairs the prospects for the necessary democratic and economic reform. For this reason, the Union has sent a fact finding mission to Belarus and adopted a new approach on the basis of its results. This position adopted by the Council on 24 February 1997 is between the stick and the carrot: no conclusion of the interim agreement, no ratification of the partnership and cooperation agreement, no joint committee, no support for Council of Europe memberschip, no public recognition of the new constitution and Parliament, but, continued bilateral dialogue and provision of assistance with experts in constitutional matters, freedom of media and economic reform.The Community is open to establish a framework of dialogue with Belarus to review progress in democratic reform and offer assistance in this direction in close consultation and cooperation with the Organisation for security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe.