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EU calls for release of belarus prisoners Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://euobserver.com/9/21225 http://euobserver.com/9/21225 EU calls for release of Belarus prisoners 24.03.2006 - 12:40 CET | By Andrew Rettman EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The EU has condemned the Friday morning arrests of 150-300 Belarusian protestors, according to the final conclusions of a two-day summit in Brussels (24 March). The EU has "decided to take restrictive measures against those responsible for the violations of international electoral standards, including president Lukashenko," the text says. "We will continue to act in close coordination with our international partners," it continues. A specific mention of the US as an international partner was taken out after some member states expressed concern that it would add weight to the idea – often peddled in Belarusian state media – that the EU and US are partners in a western conspiracy to topple president Lukashenko. The Friday morning arrests put an end to a five day protests against OSCE-deemed fake elections on Sunday, with over 400 others already in jail. The statement calls for the "immediate release" of all prisoners "deplores" the Belarusian regime’s actions and calls on Minsk to "refrain" from further repressions with a view to planned protests on Saturday. "On a continent of open and democratic societies, Belarus is a sad exception," it adds, echoing the words of US foreign affairs chief Condoleezza Rice last year that Belarus is "the last dictatorship in Europe." US reference delicate Sparked by the biggest protests in Belarus for ten years, the statement was a Czech-led initiative with Czech diplomats pushing to keep the strong wording in the drafting process. The Czech delegation came to the Brussels summit with a letter from Belarus opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich and "spread it around" diplomats said. The letter described beatings, arrests, seizures of campaign literature and a climate of "fear" surrounding the poll. Poland strongly endorsed the Czech initiative with the Baltic states, Sweden and Denmark also in the core group pushing for a strong reaction. Sanction details later Details of sanctions will "have to be worked out in the next few days" EU diplomats explained. But reports by NGO Charter97 indicated that EU officials have been calling Mr Milinkevich’s team in Minsk in the past few days to gather more names for a visa ban list that currently covers seven Belarusian officials. Trade sanctions are off the agenda however, EU contacts added, despite some NGO calls for the EU to force an economic crisis in Belarus to bring more people out on the streets. The final statement also promises to boost support for civil society and independent media in the country. Back To the top © 2006 EUobserver, All rights reserved

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