EUHR Solana seriously concerned with Belarus elections and referendum

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), made the following statement today concerning Sunday's Parliamentary Elections and Referendum in Belarus, the latter proposing the removal of the two-term limit on the office of the President:

"I see with great concern the way in which these parliamentary elections have taken place, and the referendum itself.

A number of serious shortcomings have been noted by international observers and others. Clearly, these elections fell short from being free and fair, as concluded by the Election Observation Mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Regarding the referendum, we have already expressed our concern about the fact that it took place under unsatisfying circumstances. We have also noted legal and other inadequacies with regard to the referendum as pointed out, among others, by Council of Europe experts ("Venice Commission"). While it is clear that these elections and the referendum fall short from our expectations, we are encouraged by the fact that so many Belarusians have engaged in the democratic process and demonstrated their commitment to creating a pluralist society in Belarus despite the difficult circumstances. The high voters' turn-out is evidence of this."

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• EU Presidency declaration on Belarus parliamentary elections and referendum  (20/10/2004)
• EU Presidency declaration on Belarus (27/9/2004)
• EP - MEP's condemn Belarus government (16/9/2004)
• EU Presidency declaration on 'Disappeared Persons in Belarus' (12/5/2004)