US calls on Belarus to bring laws in line with OSCE standards
The United States has called on Belarus to bring laws in line with its obligations within OSCE, Ian Kelly, U.S. Ambassador to OSCE said on July 13 when addressing to OSCE Permanent Council. Mr Kelly said that the United States was alarmed by the pressure on the dissent and the independent media in Belarus, reports Belapan. After some progress in late 2008, there have been consistent violations of OSCE standards, he said.
He also stressed the U.S. government's concern in connection with the attack on Artur Finkevich, an activist with Young Belarus after visiting the American embassy, a warning to to Radio Liberty's journalists for working without accreditation and the detention on July 9 Syarhei Kavalenka, an opposition activist in Vitsebsk. Mr Kelly also noted the interrogations of Natalia Radina of charter97.org and Article 193, which stipulates criminal prosecution for acting on behalf of an unregistered organization.
He also stressed the U.S. government's concern in connection with the attack on Artur Finkevich, an activist with Young Belarus after visiting the American embassy, a warning to to Radio Liberty's journalists for working without accreditation and the detention on July 9 Syarhei Kavalenka, an opposition activist in Vitsebsk. Mr Kelly also noted the interrogations of Natalia Radina of charter97.org and Article 193, which stipulates criminal prosecution for acting on behalf of an unregistered organization.
