Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, President of the Council of the EU, called on the Belarusian authorities again today to release immediately all persons “who have been arrested purely because they exercised their basic democratic right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly”.
She referred to statements by the Belarusian public prosecutor, according to which approximately 500 persons have been arrested following the demonstrations in the last few days; they are now being sentenced to imprisonment in summary proceedings.
“By acting in this way, the Belarusian regime has taken a further step away from the values and rule of law that are the foundation of European society. I am particularly concerned by indications that the prisoners are being mistreated. I emphatically call on the Belarusian authorities to honour its international commitments”, Plassnik stressed.
She drew attention to the fact that the European Council on 24 March had decided to take restrictive measures against those responsible for the violation of international election standards, and also against President Lukashenko.
“The EU institutions in Brussels are currently working on the implementation of this decision. I expect the EU Foreign Ministers will adopt specific decisions at the Council meeting on 10 April”, she added.
The European Council also decided to do more to support Belarusian civil society and to build up contacts with the people. “This is very important to the EU. The Presidency will also discuss the issue with the Belarusian opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich when he meets Federal Chancellor Schüssel on 3 April in Vienna”, Minister Plassnik concluded.
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