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NEWS

EU warns Belarus against plans for new repressive laws

20-10-2011

 

The EU Delegation to Belarus has expressed its concerns about draft legislation under discussion governing social organisations, mass events and state security establishments, and called on Belarus not to pass it. A statement said the laws would severely limit the freedoms and rights of the citizens and would mark “a step backwards” for human rights and the rule of law in the country.
 
The draft law amending the “Law on Social Organisations” and other laws governing political activities would place further strain on civil society and political opposition, which already operate under difficult circumstances and are subjected to restrictive registration requirements, said the statement from the EU Delegation.
 
The draft legislation on “Mass events”would still further restrict the rights, as well as freedom of expression and assembly, of the citizens of Belarus.
 
The EU Delegation is also concerned about the ongoing discussion of a draft law on State Security establishments which threatens basic freedoms and would considerably widen the discretionary powers of the KGB, with no corresponding weight given to the proportionate use of force.
 
The EU Delegation calls on Belarus to work toward ensuring the respect of its citizens’ freedoms of expression, association and assembly in line with international standards and international obligations of Belarus, including by facilitating the activities of civil society organisations and political parties in the country. (ENPI Info Centre)
 
 
Read more
 
Press release
 
ENPI Info Centre webpage - Belarus