Statement by the Secretary General Thomas E. Garrett on parliamentary elections in Belarus

The parliamentary so-called elections conducted in Belarus by the Lukashenka regime constitute an utter disregard for the rule of law and the right of the Belarusian people to choose their representatives in free and fair elections.

Conducted in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, with no opposition forces allowed but only with the participation of candidates that support the current regime, the elections in Belarus represent everything that the electoral process should not be.

I join leaders of the democratic world in denouncing these elections and call on the Lukashenka regime to end its continued repression and unjustified imprisonment of opposition activists and journalists, to lift its restrictions on civil society, and to open inclusive dialogue with political opponents.