A draft declaration for the support of democracy in Belarus was submitted to the Riigikogu

Marko Mihkelson, the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, submitted a draft entitled “For the Support of Democracy in Belarus”, initiated by 54 Riigikogu members, to the Riigikogu. It was signed by representatives from all the Riigikogu factions, as well as members not belonging to any faction.

According to the draft, the Riigikogu expresses its concern about the situation in Belarus before the Belarus presidential elections taking place on March 19, 2006. As indicated in the draft declaration, the regime of President Aleksandr Lukashenko has placed even greater restrictions on democratic freedoms, as a result of which the free press has ceased to exist, many political leaders are imprisoned, unfounded restrictions have been placed on the activities of political parties and non-governmental organizations, street protests and the expression of political positions that are objectionable to the authorities are punishable; instead of the separation and balance of powers, unrestricted presidential power rules, the election commissions are under the absolute control of the authorities, and no progress has been made in clarifying the fate of the public figures who disappeared in 1999-2000.

“The Riigikogu stands for democracy, human rights, and free elections in Belarus. The Riigikogu stands for the parties participating in the election having equal opportunities. The Riigikogu stands for Belarus reverting to the free peoples of Europe. The Riigikogu calls upon the European Union, the European Council and their member nations to implement projects, which have been initiated for the support of democracy in Belarus. The Riigikogu finds, that it is necessary to intensify Estonian assistance for the democratisation of Belarus, for the creation of a civil society, and guaranteeing the independence of the press,” declares the draft declaration.

According to the draft, the Riigikogu expresses its support for the Belarus Resolution passed by the European Parliament on September 29, 2005, for Resolution 1482 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Council passed on January 26, 2006 on the eve of the Belarus presidential elections, Resolution 1371 passed on April 28, 2004 on missing persons, and Resolution 1372 on the restriction of the freedom of press in Belarus.