BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

09/04/2008

Belarus - Extension of restrictive measures - Statement by the Council and the Commission

The Council adopted a common position extending for a further year, until 10 April 2009, the travel restrictions and freezing of financial assets against certain Belarus officials, in view of the situation in the country.

These measures, building on initial measures introduced in 2004, had been adopted against persons responsible for fraudulent elections and referendum in October 2004, violations of international electoral standards in the March 2006 elections and the crackdown on civil society and the democratic opposition. The list of persons affected by the restrictive measures remains unchanged. The list may be reviewed at any time on the basis of its review criteria and in the light of events on the ground.

The Council and the Commission adopted the following joint statement:

"The Council and the Commission welcome the release of five of the six internationally recognised political prisoners in Belarus.

The Council and the Commission reiterate their position that the unconditional release of all political prisoners would be considered by the EU as a concrete step towards Belarusian compliance with core European values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This would provide for a possibility to review the restrictive measures in place against certain officials of Belarus, and to enable the EU to progressively re-engage with Belarus, in connection with further steps by Belarus in that direction.

The Council and the Commission also note in this respect the particular importance of the conduct of the upcoming parliamentary elections in accordance with international electoral standards, which would provide an opportunity for the assessment of the situation in Belarus and for possible positive steps.

The Council and the Commission recall that Council Common Position 2006/276/CFSP is kept under constant review and can be modified in light of political developments in Belarus. The release of all political prisoners and the conduct of September 2008 parliamentary elections would provide specific occasions for such a review".

Source:

http://www.delblr.ec.europa.eu/page2328.html?y=2008&m=4

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