Senior European Council Officials Urged To Release Political Prisoners In Belarus Immediately

This is a priority task.

The heads of governing bodies of the Council of Europe issued a joint statement on the events in Belarus.

This is reported by "European Truth".

The statement was made by the President of the Committee of Ministers, President of PACE and Secretary General of the Council of Europe. They called on the Belarusian authorities and all relevant parties concerned "to initiate urgently a broad and inclusive national dialogue that fully engages civil society in order to ensure a peaceful way out of the current crisis and open the doors for necessary reforms in the interests of all citizens of Belarus."

The leaders of the Council of Europe reminded that Belarus is not a member of the organization, but has signed a number of its treaties and protocols.

"We all wish that one day Belarus will join our European family of common values by becoming a full member of the Council of Europe," - the three leaders stressed.

"The Council of Europe, with its knowledge and experience, is ready to support such dialogue in cooperation with other international partners. In particular, we are ready to support the necessary constitutional reforms," - they said.

Finally, the Council of Europe leaders called for the immediate release of all detained demonstrators, an end to all ill-treatment and an urgent and transparent investigation into acts of brutality by law enforcement agencies.

"Legitimacy cannot come from repression. It proceeds from a free, fair and rule of law-based electoral process," - the statement said.