29 July 2007
European Commission's external relations spokeswoman condemns arrests of opposition activists in Minsk
Christiane Hohmann, the European Commission's external relations spokeswoman, said on July 27 that the recent arrests of opposition activists in Minsk defied an EU offer for Belarus to join its European Neighborhood Policy (ENP).
"These politically motivated arrests are in contradiction to the EU's offer to the Belarusians to engage in a full partnership" in the program, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty quoted Ms. Hohmann as saying.
However, the spokeswoman said, the arrests will not affect the European Commission's work to open its office in Minsk.
"In our view, it should not affect the ongoing talks about establishing a full-fledged EU delegation in Minsk which started in the spring," Hohmann said. "[The talks] are not finalized yet, they will continue after summer -- because in our view it's very important to be present on the ground, not only to have firsthand information, but also to be there as a permanent partner in dialogue with the Belarusian authorities."
The jailing of opposition youth leaders Pavel Sevyarynets and Alyaksey Shein earlier this week drew a critical reaction from the European Union's external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
"I am dismayed at the arrest and detention of several members of the Belarus democratic opposition over the last days, including Pavel Severinets and Aleksei Shein," the official said in a statement issued on Thursday, urging the Belarusian authorities "to release all those detained on political grounds without delay."
More than 60 opposition activists were arrested across Belarus in the days leading up to July 27, the date when opposition forces planned to mark the 17th anniversary of the State Sovereignty Declaration. Several activists were handed down jail sentences. Messrs. Sevyarynets and Shein were sentenced to 15 days in jail each.
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