PACE and Belarus

Strasbourg, 15.12.2011 – The authorities in Belarus are “deliberately turning their back on Europe and the values it upholds”, the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) said today, giving its full backing to the EU’s targeted sanctions of the country. Approving a draft resolution and a draft recommendation, based on a report by Andres Herkel (Estonia, EPP/CD), the committee expressed its “deep concern” at the deteriorating situation of human rights and civil and political liberties in the country.

PACE President René van der Linden today started a two-day visit to Belarus with a view to encouraging democratic developments and promoting Council of Europe values in the country. The President met with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Vladimir Konoplev, the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Martynov, and with members of the opposition, including Akexander Milinkievich. René van der Linden called for the release of all those imprisoned for allegedly political reasons, and called for dialogue based on the implementation of Council of Europe values such as the freedom of expression, the organisation of free and fair elections and the abolition of the death penalty. He offered to his counterparts the use of Council of Europe instruments, such as the Venice Commission and the Committee for the Prevention of Torture. The PACE President also called for the intensification of students exchanges between Belarus and other European countries, and supported the reform of visa procedure that would make them more straightforward.

Strasbourg, 11.01.2007 - Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) President René van der Linden will visit Belarus from 18 to 20 January 2007 to engage in a dialogue with the authorities, the opposition and civil society - including students - with a view to encouraging democratic developments and promoting Council of Europe values in the country. 

Mr van der Linden will address the main concerns of the Parliamentary Assembly with regard to Belarus, including the functioning of the opposition, imprisonments for allegedly political reasons, freedom of expression and the death penalty. He will also identify areas and methods of possible concrete assistance programmes to Belarus.

Strasbourg, 20.12.2006 – The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) has warmly welcomed today’s adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Convention against Enforced Disappearances.

In a statement, the committee declared: “This important text, strongly supported by the Parliamentary Assembly, outlaws the barbaric practice of enforced disappearance and foresees concrete measures to prevent and punish such crimes more effectively.”

Strasbourg , 05.09.2006 – René Van der Linden, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), today expressed his great surprise at the proposal to boycott Wednesday's soccer match between the Netherlands and Belarus. According to Hans Van Baalen, a Liberal Party member of the Dutch House of Representatives, the boycott would be a means of fighting dictatorship in Belarus.

Strasbourg, 13.07.2006 – The President of the Parliamentary Assembly, René van der Linden, today made the following statement:

“I welcome yesterday’s change of heart on Belarus by the EU Presidency, as expressed by the Finnish Foreign Minister, which has recognised that its policy of isolation has not worked. As I have said before, even if we have profound differences with Belarus – the only European country that does not merit membership of the Council of Europe – I believe the only way to improve things is through dialogue.