OSCE proposal to mediate Belarus’ domestic political crisis stays in force
<p> MINSK, Dec 3 - PrimePress. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) leaves in force its proposal to mediate the domestic political crisis in Belarus. </p> <p> </p> <p> OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Prime Minister of Albania, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Edi Rama made a statement to this effect at the 27th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council on December 3. </p> <p> </p> <p> Rama recalled that back in August 2020 he and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde (the future OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2021) offered the Belarusian authorities assistance in organizing a dialogue with the opposition. </p> <p> </p> <p> “It was an offer of assistance to Belarus, an OSCE participating State, taking into account the situation in Minsk, with full respect for state sovereignty and international obligations. The proposal was rejected. But it could provide an opportunity to move from confrontation to a meaningful dialogue. Accordingly, the confrontation continued,” Rama said. </p> <p> </p> <p> “The OSCE, as an inclusive organization, is well positioned to offer its mediation efforts to Belarus. I hope that Belarus will reconsider its stance on our proposal, which remains in force, but already under the new chairmanship,” he added. </p> <p> </p> <p> According to him, such a proposal remains relevant given the fact that the situation in Belarus has not improved over the past four months. “This is particularly true with regard to the continued violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The loss of life and injuries are of great concern,” Rama said. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, since the presidential elections on August 9, 2020, in which Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner for the sixth time with 80.1% of the vote, thousands-strong protest actions against the official results have been held in Belarus. The riot police and other law enforcers of Belarus keep violently dispersing peaceful demonstrations using riot control weapons, including stun grenades and rubber bullets. Human rights activists documented more than 500 cases of torture and ill-treatment, and several people went missing or were found dead. According to various estimates, to date more than 30,000 citizens have been detained for protesting against the regime, including more 140 who have been declared political prisoners. End </p> <p> </p>
2020-12-04
Primepress
MINSK, Dec 3 - PrimePress. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) leaves in force its proposal to mediate the domestic political crisis in Belarus.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Prime Minister of Albania, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Edi Rama made a statement to this effect at the 27th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council on December 3.
Rama recalled that back in August 2020 he and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde (the future OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2021) offered the Belarusian authorities assistance in organizing a dialogue with the opposition.
“It was an offer of assistance to Belarus, an OSCE participating State, taking into account the situation in Minsk, with full respect for state sovereignty and international obligations. The proposal was rejected. But it could provide an opportunity to move from confrontation to a meaningful dialogue. Accordingly, the confrontation continued,” Rama said.
“The OSCE, as an inclusive organization, is well positioned to offer its mediation efforts to Belarus. I hope that Belarus will reconsider its stance on our proposal, which remains in force, but already under the new chairmanship,” he added.
According to him, such a proposal remains relevant given the fact that the situation in Belarus has not improved over the past four months. “This is particularly true with regard to the continued violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The loss of life and injuries are of great concern,” Rama said.
As previously reported, since the presidential elections on August 9, 2020, in which Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner for the sixth time with 80.1% of the vote, thousands-strong protest actions against the official results have been held in Belarus. The riot police and other law enforcers of Belarus keep violently dispersing peaceful demonstrations using riot control weapons, including stun grenades and rubber bullets. Human rights activists documented more than 500 cases of torture and ill-treatment, and several people went missing or were found dead. According to various estimates, to date more than 30,000 citizens have been detained for protesting against the regime, including more 140 who have been declared political prisoners. End