BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

30/03/2010

EU Warns Belarus Against Political Repression

(RTTNews) - The European Union (EU) Tuesday voiced its deep concern over the actions of the Belarus government which is accused of trying to stifle the Opposition in the run-up to the country's local elections scheduled for April 25.

In a statement endorsed by all the 27 EU-member States, foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said: "The EU expresses grave concern over the recent harassment of representatives of independent media, civil society and Opposition organizations."

She said allowing "political pluralism" was the key to building a robust relationship with the EU and Minsk's failure to take corrective steps in this regard would mar bilateral ties.

The EU which is looking to extend its influence is "caught in a bind" offering concessions and threatening sanctions against the Alexander Lukashenko-led government in Belarus which has been repeatedly accused of violating human rights.

Further the statement said the EU would "follow closely the conduct of the local elections," to which it "attaches great importance."

Belarus has been a bit of an embarrassment to the EU on account of its appalling human rights record, despite being a key member of the "Eastern Partnership" which offers trade and travel liberalisation in exchange for political and economic reforms.

The Lukashenko administration has lately tried to maintain equidistance from Russia and the EU in a bid to seek concessions from both sides, but this has at times led to a "conflict of interest" with Moscow and Brussels.

Source:

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Id=1255501&SM=1


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