Frank Lautenberg: “I am deeply concerned about events in Belarus and the effort by President Lukashenka to expand his already considerable…”

“I am deeply concerned about events in Belarus and the effort by President Lukashenka to expand his already considerable powers at the expense of basic democratic principles. I am deeply concerned by his proposal to unify Russia and Belarus. And, as the cochairman of the Helsinki Commission, I am dismayed by President Lukashenka's failure to abide by the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and other OSCE agreements which guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The resolution recognizes March 25, 1997, as the anniversary of the proclamation of Belarusan independence. It calls on President Lukashenka and the Government to abide by the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and other agreements of the Organization for the Security and Cooperation of Europe; to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press, assembly, and expression; and to guarantee separation of powers.”