OSCE to Visit Belarus

The OSCE leadership plans to visit Belarus to have talks with the authorities and the opposition, the organisation said in a statement.

The OSCE is concerned about the conditions of the presidential election in Belarus, the use of force against peaceful demonstrators, mass detentions, torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement agencies.

“An open and constructive dialogue is necessary to find a way forward in Belarus. The OSCE is ready to support this and cooperate with all stakeholders,” the OSCE said in a statement.

In this regard, the Belarusian government was sent a formal proposal for a visit by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Eddie Rama and Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde to meet with government and opposition representatives.

It should be recalled that during the protests after the presidential election on the 9 August, more than 7,500 people were detained in Belarus. Many were beaten, more than 250 were hospitalised, and two people died.

Natalia Tolub