Doc. 8544

23 September 1999

Belarus

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mrs Ojuland and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and only expresses the views of the members who have signed it

      The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:

1.       Takes into consideration the decision of the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe as of 13 January 1997, and the statement on the situation in Belarus as of 6 June 1999, signed by the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe;

2.       Expresses serious concern about the present constitutional and political situation in Belarus, which constitutes a setback for prospects of democratic and economic reforms and integration to the European political and economic area and also hampers the process of Belarus’ joining the Council of Europe;

3.       Condemns the use of force and repression against the deputies of the Supreme Council, the representatives of the democratic opposition;

4.       Protests against restrictions over the free dissemination of information, against pressure and threats of closing independent media and total control of executive power over state mass media, and against re-registration (re-incorporation) as a means to liquidate public sector organisations (NGOs);

5.       Takes into consideration the fact that on 20 July 1999 according to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus of 1994, President Lukashenko’s term of office expired, and that
Mr Lukashenko cannot be considered a democratically-elected president without carrying out free democratic elections;

6.       Welcomes and supports the initiative to arrange a negotiating process between the government and the political opposition;

7.       Considers any agreement signed by A. Lukashenko after 20 July 1999, including those directed at liquidation of sovereignty of the country, as illegal and not valid;

8.       Insists on the immediate release from prison of one of the leaders of the Belarussian opposition, Michail Chigir, who was recognised as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, also insists on release from prison of deputies of the Supreme Council,
A. Klimov and V. Kudinov; and on the discontinuation of persecution of activists of political parties and public organisations: condemns the kidnapping of the Deputy V. Gonchar and ex Minister of the interior, Y. Zakharenko;

9.       Urges the authorities to guarantee the human rights and freedom of the mass media, access by opposition forces to state television and radio, and the right of citizens to peacefully express their protest;

10.       Supports efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group of the ad hoc Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE and of the Council of Europe directed at a constructive democratic solution of the present crisis through a negotiation process aimed at the restoration of the principle of separation of powers, and the carrying out of free democratic election in Belarus, in strict accordance with Council of Europe and OSCE standards.

Signed : ¹

Ojuland, Estonia, LDR

Akgönenç, Turkey, EDG

Bal, Turkey, EDG

Begaj, Albania, SOC

Bergqvist, Sweden, SOC

Billing, Sweden, EDG

Braun, Hungary, LDR

Calner, Sweden, SOC

Cilevics, Latvia, SOC

Colvin, United Kingdom, EDG

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Dromberg, Finland, EDG

Elo, Finland, SOC

Eörsi, Hungary, LDR

Evin, France, SOC

Gelderblom-Lankhout, Netherlands, LDR

Gogoberidze, Georgia, LDR

Gross, Switzerland, SOC (cont overleaf)

Høegh, Norway, EDG

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Jäätteenmäki, Finland, LDR

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Jurgens, Netherlands, SOC

Knight, United Kingdom, EDG

Lotz, Hungary, LDR

Manchulenko, Ukraine, EDG

Mattéi, France, LDR

Micheloyiannis, Greece, SOC

Nedelciuc, Moldova, LDR

De Puig, Spain, SOC

Ragnarsdóttir, Iceland, EDG

Ringstad, Norway, LDR

Schreiner, France, EDG

Solonari, Moldova, SOC

Tanik, Turkey, EDG

Telek, Turkey, EDG

Tiuri, Finland, EDG

Townend, United Kingdom, EDG

Valkeniers, Belgium, LDR

Wilshire, United Kingdom, EDG

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group