EU dismisses presidential election in Belarus as rigged, planning sanctions
<p> MINSK, Aug 19 - PrimePress. Heads of state and government of the EU member states do not recognize the results of the presidential election in Belarus. The Union will impose individual sanctions for the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators and falsification of the voting results. This decision was made at the online extraordinary EU summit held on August 19. </p> <p> </p> <p> European Council President Charles Michel says the presidential election in Belarus was neither free, nor fair, and did not meet international democratic standards, so the EU does not recognize the results reported by the Belarusian authorities. </p> <p> </p> <p> He called the crackdown on nonviolent protest actions shocking and unacceptable. “We condemn this atrocity and expect a full transparent investigation. Violence should be avoided by all means, including repression and violence against people who advocate national dialogue,” said Michel. </p> <p> </p> <p> The European Union will impose sanctions against those responsible for the election fraud and brutality against protesters. The list that names “a considerable number of persons, will be presented shortly, he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said that the final version of the resolution on sanctions may be adopted on August 27-28. </p> <p> </p> <p> Michel stressed that the European Union supports the Belarusian people and advocates a dialogue to resolve the crisis. “We call on the Belarusian authorities to find a peaceful solution to the situation by ending the brutality, de-escalating tensions and launching an inclusive dialogue at the national level,” Russian RBC news agency quotes him as saying. </p> <p> </p> <p> Michel named the OSCE as an organization that can mediate in such a dialogue. End </p>
2020-08-19
Primepress
MINSK, Aug 19 - PrimePress. Heads of state and government of the EU member states do not recognize the results of the presidential election in Belarus. The Union will impose individual sanctions for the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators and falsification of the voting results. This decision was made at the online extraordinary EU summit held on August 19.
European Council President Charles Michel says the presidential election in Belarus was neither free, nor fair, and did not meet international democratic standards, so the EU does not recognize the results reported by the Belarusian authorities.
He called the crackdown on nonviolent protest actions shocking and unacceptable. “We condemn this atrocity and expect a full transparent investigation. Violence should be avoided by all means, including repression and violence against people who advocate national dialogue,” said Michel.
The European Union will impose sanctions against those responsible for the election fraud and brutality against protesters. The list that names “a considerable number of persons, will be presented shortly, he said.
As previously reported, European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said that the final version of the resolution on sanctions may be adopted on August 27-28.
Michel stressed that the European Union supports the Belarusian people and advocates a dialogue to resolve the crisis. “We call on the Belarusian authorities to find a peaceful solution to the situation by ending the brutality, de-escalating tensions and launching an inclusive dialogue at the national level,” Russian RBC news agency quotes him as saying.
Michel named the OSCE as an organization that can mediate in such a dialogue. End