Dutch PACE Deputy suggests establishing official connections with opposition
The Dutch MP, the member of the PACE delegation Peter Omtzigt has addressed to this structure's committee of ministers with a written enquiry on whether it is planned to introduce the visa sanctions against the Belarusian officials until the ex-presidential candidates are released. The deputy asks in his enquiry, "whether the committee considers the detained candidates political prisoners, whether it grounds on the independence of the Belarusian court system", and whether it has an intention to condemn the existent situation in Belarus.
He suggested "to establish official connections with the opposition as legitimate representatives of the Belarusian people". According to him, no election campaign in Belarus has been considered free and fair since 1994, and the last presidential election confirmed that "the regime has no intention to conduct free elections".
The deputy declared his hope to receive a response to his enquiry before the beginning of the PACE session on January 24.
He suggested "to establish official connections with the opposition as legitimate representatives of the Belarusian people". According to him, no election campaign in Belarus has been considered free and fair since 1994, and the last presidential election confirmed that "the regime has no intention to conduct free elections".
The deputy declared his hope to receive a response to his enquiry before the beginning of the PACE session on January 24.
