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PACE plenary session adopts special resolution on Belarus

23 June 2009 14:12 (UTC +04:00)

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubayli â€“ APA. The plenary meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) began with the discussion of the current situation in Belarus, APAâ€™s Europe bureau reports. Italian parliamentarian Andrea Rigoni and Christos Pourgourides from Cyprus presented the Document 11939.
PACE intends to grant special guest status to Belarus.
Most parliamentarians supported the proposal in todayâ€™s discussions, but some parliamentarians said Belarus still did not completely meet the minimal democratic standards and the values of the Council of Europe. It was noted that granting special guest status did not mean giving carte blanche and official Minsk should take necessary steps in the field of democracy and human rights.
â€œIf Belarus wants to be represented in PACE, it should respect the values and principles promoted by the council, otherwise it may harm the image of the Council of Europe. If you want to become the member of a club, you should obey its values and rules,â€ PACE co-rapporteur on Belarus Christos Pourgourides said.

The resolution and a nonbinding document were adopted. According to the resolution, Belarus may restore its special guest status after imposing a moratorium on death penalty. Unlike the previous special guest status, not only the parliamentary delegation of Belarus, but also the opposition members not represented in the parliament will be systematically invited to the PACE. It will help the improvement of democratic forces and civil society. Belarus was represented in PACE with special guest status in 1992-1997.