Answer on questions from CDP about the terms of freedom of association in Belarus

Written question no. 218 (2009–2010),
dated 19 November 2009.
Translated from Norwegian.

From Member of the Storting Kjell Arvid Svendsen (Christian Democratic Party) to the Minster of Foreign Affairs:
On 17 November, the EU decided to extend the restrictive measures against Belarus, due to the country’s lack of progress in terms of freedom of association and the authorities’ continued denial of registration of many political parties, among other reasons. On 31 October, I took part in a new formal meeting of the Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) with a view to registration. What steps will the Minister of Foreign Affairs take to promote freedom of association in Belarus and the registration of the BCD?

The Foreign Minister’s answer:
The situation in Belarus regarding human rights and democratisation is still unacceptable, and, as Mr Svendsen points out, this also applies to the lack of freedom of association.

Norway is following developments in Belarus closely and we are seeking to contribute to the international community’s measures to promote democratisation and respect for human rights. (See also my answer of 11 May 2009 to written question no. 1115 (2008–2009) from Mr Høybråten). Norway is supporting a number of concrete projects and we also contribute in other ways.

Along similar lines to the EU conclusions of 17 November this year, Norway will also maintain special measures against Belarus, including travel restrictions for certain key officials, at the same time as the suspension of the most of these restrictions has been extended until next autumn. The reason for the suspension is that we wish to encourage further steps in the right direction from the Belarusian authorities, after they complied with the international communities’ requirements on several important points. For example, political prisoners were released and international observers were invited to monitor the parliamentary election in the autumn of 2008.

The fact that restrictions are in principle being continued reflects the fact that the situation in the country is still considered unacceptable. This is also the message we convey in our own dialogue with the Belarusian authorities. In bilateral consultations with senior Belarusian officials we have made it clear that any further integration of Belarus into the European cooperation depends on us sharing common values in terms of democracy and human rights. This view is shared by like-minded countries. Therefore, Belarus’ request for full membership of the Council of Baltic Sea States has not been fulfilled, but the country has been granted observer status.

We welcome the Belarusian authorities’ wish for closer cooperation with the rest of Europe, and we underline that Belarus will receive encouraging signals regarding integration and cooperation if developments progress in the right direction. Initiatives from the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council are relevant in this connection. At the same time, this must not undermine the requirement for democratisation and respect for fundamental human rights, including freedom of association. The opportunity to register political parties is, of course, an important part of this picture. In our contact with the Belarusian authorities, Norway will continue to raise the problems that remain in this area in relation to political parties such as Belarusian Christian Democracy, NGOs and others.