Ad Hoc Committee on Belarus

Zapf addresses PACE’s Political Committee on Belarus

COPENHAGEN, 26 January 2011 – The Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, Uta Zapf (Germany), addressed the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg on 24 January. The address was made within the framework of the Parliamentary Troika – which includes Uta Zapf as the Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, Jacek Protasiewicz, Chairman of the European Parliament Delegation on Relations with Belarus, and Chair of the PACE sub-committee on Belarus Sinikka Hurskainen.

The discussion focused on a PACE report on Belarus being discussed this week, and the recent EP resolution on Belarus, which recommended economic sanctions and an extensive travel ban – while stepping up co-operation with civil society.

Ms. Zapf supported a policy of people-to-people contacts, and increasing co-operation with civil society. She echoed calls for release of political prisoners and for due process to be following with regard to all post-election detentions. Ms. Zapf noted that the parliament of Belarus is a member of the OSCE PA, and the situation in the country will be raised at the upcoming OSCE PA Winter Meeting in Vienna 24-25 February 2011.