Resolution criticising Belarus not included in OSCE PA Declaration

The 26th annual OSCE PA session ended in Minsk on July 9. Minsk Declaration was adopted there. The resolution on Belarus was not included in it, BELTA reports.

The majority of deputies had to vote pro to adopt the resolution. However, 43 deputies voted for the Resolution on the Situation in Eastern Europe and the same number of people voted contra. Thus, the document was excluded from the Declaration.

The resolution was adopted by the majority of members of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions on July 8. The paragraphs containing the criticism of Belarus made the Belarusian authorities indignant. The document drew attention to a number of political issues: no free elections, pressure exercised on mass media, the absence of the freedom of assembly and the existence of political prisoners.