Fair elections

12:55 European parliament adopted resolution on situation in Belarus (Updated)

Today the European parliament has adopted a resolution on situation in Belarus. It is offered to suspend visa sanctions against some of Belarusian officials for half a year, though the last “parliamentary election” was recognized not free and undemocratic. The resolution was adopted with 597 votes in favour, 31 against and 22 abstentions. 

9:39 Sharp debate in European Parliament over situation in Belarus

Debates over the situation in Belarus have taken place in the European Parliament. Deputies of the European parliament stated that the “parliamentary elections” in the country were not free and undemocratic, and spoke in favour of cooperation with the opposition in the issues of Belarus’ democratization. A resolution is to be adopted today summing up the results of discussions. 

9:47 US State Department representative: “There is not enough freedom of choice freedom of expression and freedom of speech in Belarus”

Sean McCormack, spokesman for the Department of State, answering the question of “Narodnaya Volya” about further relations between Belarus and the US, stated that “not much has changed in the country functionally”. 

9:41 Stubb was surprised that repressions against opposition take place

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb who was in Minsk on a visit, met representatives of the Belarusian opposition after meetings with officials. 

14:42 Lukashenka: “To allow count votes means humiliate Belarusian people” (Video)

Alyaksandr Lukashenka says the “parliamentary elections” can influence the development of a dialog with the West, but calls not to have illusions about the possibilities for this. 

13:51 Andrei Sannikov: “That mustn’t be secret agreements with regime”

The leader of the civil campaign “European Belarus” comments on the visit of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb and invitation of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry head to the session of the EU foreign Ministers. 

There are reliable data that the results of the recent “parliamentary elections” in Belarus were rigged. Belarusian independent media received a list of names of probable members of the new “parliament” some days before the “elections”. After the results of the “election” were announced, it was found out that absolute majority of the people from this list got into the “parliament”. 

14:51 Сhanges in Belarus possible only after holding really free election (Photo, video)

It has been stated today at a press-conference in Minsk by leaders of the Belarusian opposition Andrei Sannikov, Lyavon Barshcheuski, Viktar Ivashkevich and Zmitser Dashkevich. The results of the “parliamentary elections” have been rigged, the voting turnout was warmed up several times. A real people’s boycott of the electoral farce has taken place in Belarus. 

14:50 Canada disappointed at “parliamentary elections” in Belarus

The Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada expressed deep concern regarding the conduct of Belarus's September 28 “parliamentary elections”. 

15:23 Czech Republic: “Election in Belarus fell short of European standards”

Foreign Ministry of the Czech Republic with a reference to reports of OSCE and US observers has stated today that the “parliamentary vote” in Belarus fell short of the European Standards. 

9:04 France, president of EU, concerned at “elections” in Belarus

The EU’s French presidency he EU's French presidency on Tuesday voiced concern at the parliamentary elections in Belarus after the OSCE judged the vote to be non-democratic, the AFP reports referring to the EU’s statement. 

15:51 Secretary General of the Council of Europe: “Lukashenka never loses opportunity to lose opportunity”

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis called the elections of September 28 a lost chance for Belarus. Lukashenka never loses opportunity to lose opportunity. It was a hope that the recent “elections” would be a turning point in voluntary isolation of Belarus from the rest of Europe. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, Mr Davis said about the “elections”. 

15:38 OSCE observers didn’t recognise “elections” in Belarus (Photo)

The OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission didn’t recognise the “parliamentary elections” in Belarus free and democratic. OSCE observers noticed vote counting was “bad or very bad” in 50 per cent of cases. 40 per cent of observers said they had had difficulties with access to vote counting. The elections ultimately fell short of OSCE standards. 

14:20 Independent Belarusian observers: “Election” is undemocratic, “parliament” is illegitimate

Members of the campaign “Human Rights Activists for Free Election” said at a today’s press conference in Minsk that the “parliamentary elections” were unfree and undemocratic and theri results couldn’t be recognised as legitimate. 

13:23 Belarusians don’t believe Yarmoshyna’s figures (New photo, video)

Unfree and undemocratic “parliamentary election” in Belarus has evoked protests of Belarusian citizens. 

9:42 European Belarus: Recognition of falsified election is out of question

The civil initiative “European Belarus” made a statement on the “parliamentary election”, held on September 28. 

0:59 Mass protests in Belarus: “election” results rigged, new “parliament” illegitimate (Photo report)

Demonstrations of protest against rigging of the results of the “parliamentary election” were held in Minsk on September 28. 

0:14 Give us new election! (Photo, video)

Protest actions against rigging of the results of the “parliamentary election” were held in Minsk today. The Belarusian opposition calls the election farce and urges the international community not to recognise the new “house of representatives” as legitimate body. Demonstrators in the Minsk center demanded new free elections.