OSCE denounces Minsk’s decision not to invite its observers

January 9, Pozirk. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has denounced the Belarusian government’s decision not to invite OSCE observers for the February 25 parliamentary election.
“The Belarusian government’s decision to shirk its obligation . . . goes against the best interest of the Belarusian people,” said OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma.
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) began engaging in consultations with Belarus in October 2023 to reach an agreement on the deployment of a pre-election needs assessment mission, an initial and crucial step in determining whether to deploy an election observation and in what format, the statement says.
Following the 2020 presidential election, the parliamentary election will be the second time that ODIHR is unable to observe elections in Belarus due to the lack of a timely invitation from the national authorities.
While ODIHR will not be able to observe the forthcoming parliamentary election, it continues to watch the unfolding events in Belarus from all the areas covered by its mandate. All OSCE states have committed to inviting observers from other OSCE participating states and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to observe, as well as following up swiftly on ODIHR’s election assessment and recommendations.
- Politics, SecurityEU slams Belarus over “provocative actions” against LithuaniaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyLending to economy rises 14 percent since January – HałoŭčankaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKGB brands eight regime critics as terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja's team prioritizing Belarusians affected by Lithuanian border closureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityIrregular crossings spike after Warsaw announces border reopening planThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader dismisses calls for talks with ŁukašenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityLithuania’s PM Ruginenė to discuss Belarus border closure with Poland’s TuskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyOpposition politician advocates for exiled Belarusians’ rights at CoE eventThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityBiełavija CEO hopes for US spare parts supplies after sanctions easingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank's head expects inflation at 6 percent by year's endThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja: Democracy has tools to stop dictators and warsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyBelarus reports 50 percent rise in migrant workers in a yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityBelarus' KGB to check terrorism preparedness in central districtThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian, Kazakh leaders discuss security summit by phoneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyReprisals: Homiel teacher sentenced on extremism chargesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus FM sets out Minsk's conditions for restoring ties with EUThe material is available only to POZIRK+



