Opposition leader slams PACE committee's recommendation on Belarus

Anatol Lyabedzka, chairman of the United Civic Party, criticized the Political Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, for recommending the restoration of the special guest status to the Belarusian legislature. He told ERB that the decision would discourage the Belarusian authorities from democratizing electoral laws and practices.

"Recall the reasons why the status was frozen, not a single problem has been addressed. The decision is unconsidered. It suits the politics of the moment," the politician remarked.
 
He added that the decision implies the automatic recognition of the results of last year's flawed parliamentary elections, which the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) found short of democratic standards.