BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

17/01/2007

Germany Says Belarusian Elections Fell Short Of Democratic Standards

The German government that currently holds the EU Presidency said in a January 15 statement that local elections in Belarus did not meet democratic standards, Belapan reported on January 16. "The European Union has received reports of police raids on campaign offices, the registration of candidates being hampered, and the arrest of opposition politicians and Belarusian election monitors," the statement read. "The practice of early voting, in some cases under duress, a process particularly prone to falsification, was used again. State agencies influenced the elections at all levels in favor of pro-government candidates." The German government expressed the EU's readiness to cooperate with Belarus within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, but stressed that the Belarusian authorities should first "clearly state" their commitment to democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/01/3-cee/cee-170107.asp