Chairman of EP Delegation for relations with Belarus urges to stop repressions before the European March

Bogdan Klich, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Belarus welcomed the organizing of the European March in Minsk and called the Belarusian authorities to stop the repressions against the oppositional activists on the European March’s eve.

“I am dismayed by the reports of detentions, intimidation and harassment against the organizers of the European March to be held in Minsk on 14 October 2007. I call on the Belarusian authorities to stop these repressive actions and to allow Belarusian citizens, activists of the democratic opposition and representatives of the civil society to organize and to take part in this peaceful and open event”, - Bogdan Klich said.

“The reported persecutions for the possession and distribution of European flags and of the non-paper "What the EU could bring to Belarus" blatantly contradict the recent rhetoric of Belarusian government of their wish to improve the relations with the European Union. Moreover, in violating the fundamental rights of Belarusian people to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, the government of Mr. Lukashenka can not expect to become a reliable partner for dialogue with Europe”, - he remarked.