PES calls for tough sanctions against Lukashenko

23 March 2006

The European Union should impose tough sanctions against President Lukashenko and his top officials and politicians said Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists.

Rasmussen said “Those who deprived the people of Belarus of free and fair elections should be held responsible and accountable, avoiding actions that hurt the people of Belarus. There can be no accommodating an authoritarian regime in modern Europe.” The Party of European Socialists believes that the recent Presidential elections in Belarus were conducted in a totally unacceptable manner, and commends the OSCE for its frank and critical report on the elections.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen added "The Party of European Socialists wants the people of Belarus to have democratic and political rights. The fake election was a sad day for Belarus but it must be the spur for creating a united democratic opposition”.

The PES expresses its solidarity with the peaceful demonstrators camped in central Minsk protesting about the elections and demands respect for their freedom of speech and their personal security.