OSCE concerned by trials of protestors in Belarus

VIENNA (Itar-Tass) - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office,
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis, expressed strong concern
on Thursday that courts in Belarus have started trials and the sentencing
of protesters who participated in demonstrations last December. He fully
supported the intention of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights (ODIHR) to send observers to monitor future trials and urges
the authorities to ensure that the observers can conduct their work.
"I would like to stress that freedom of assembly is a fundamental
democratic right. Of particular concern is that parts of the first trial
were held in camera. This is unacceptable. I am also concerned about
reports of a number of defense lawyers having their licenses revoked. The
OSCE needs to monitor such trials in the future to provide an independent
assessment to our participating States," Azubalis said in a statement,
adding that all participating States have made a commitment to accept the
presence of trial monitors.
He recalled that two months ago the heads of state and government of
all OSCE participating States, including Belarusian President Alexander
Lukashenko, adopted the Astana Declaration, which states that their
commitments ":in the field of the human dimension are matters of direct
and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong
exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned. We value the
important role played by civil society and free media in helping us to
ensure full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy,
including free and fair elections, and the rule of law."
Two weeks ago, the OSCE Representative for Freedom of the Media also
called for an end to the harassment of the media in Belarus.
ODIHR observed the 19 December presidential election in Belarus and
will issue its final report next week.