Reaction of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic to Parliamentary Election and Referendum in Belarus

27.10.2004.

Czech Republic completely agrees with the results of the international monitoring mission of OSCE/ODIHR in Belarus and states taht the Parliamentary election didn't correspond to teh standards of free, fair and democratic election. Czech Republic states it on the basis of testimonies of its own observers and concerning the referendum.

The existing regime could achieve the declared victory at the election only thanks to gross manipulations of the public thought and the results of the election as well as by the exclusion of representatives opposition from the lists of electors and election commissions. By this the regime again missed its chance to improve the relations with the universal democratic community. Czech Republic expresses its regret that these events will strenthen the international isolation of Belarus.

Czech Republic is also afraid that Aliaksandr Lukashenka's regime will increase repressions against the opposition and democratic-minded Belarusians, which is witnessed by the recent violent dispersals of demonstrations and arrests. Czech Republic also plans to continue the systematic support to democratic forces in Belarus, including political refugees. Czech Republic will take active part in the preparation of the following steps of the European Union, directed at saving of human rights in Belarus and gradual democratization of the country.

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