2003 press releases

Statements by Officials of U.S. Delegation to the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (October 7, 2003)

U.S. Statement on Freedom of Movement in OSCE Region

Statement by Dr. Roberta Cohen

Mr. Moderator, with a few exceptions, freedom of movement is not a major problem in OSCE States.

(Extract on Belarus)

In Belarus, the authorities delayed issuing "global" exit visas to some opposition activists. In June, the authorities refused to issue an exit visa to Andrei Klimov, a former deputy of the 13th Supreme Soviet who was jailed for 4 1/2 years. The regime also delayed issuing passports to opposition politicians, sometimes for several months, in an effort to restrict their travel abroad for political activities.

U.S. Statement on Freedom of Expression, Free Media and Information

Statement of Mr. Ronald McNamara

(Extract on Belarus)

The United States is dismayed that the Lukashenko regime in Belarus continues to strangle media freedoms. In the latest example of Belarus' assault on media freedoms, the Belarusian authorities denied an entry visa to Freimut Duve, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. This builds on a pattern of growing harassment of and hostility toward the media by the Lukashenko regime. In July, the U.S.-based NGO, IREX, closed its Belarusian operations when the authorities refused to renew its accreditation on the grounds that IREX was funding opposition media. I would also note that, over the course of the last four months, there have been further restrictions imposed on the independent media, with the suspensions of independent newspapers Belaruskaya Delovaya Gazeta, its periodic attachment, BDG--For Internal Use Only, Navinki, Ekho and Predprinimatelskaya Gazeta. The offices of the trade union paper Solidarnost were also sealed by the authorities.

U.S. Statement on Freedom of Association and the Right of Peaceful Assembly

Statement by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes

(Extract on Belarus)

In Belarus, for example, the rights of citizens to association and assembly have come under increasing assault over the last few months. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) implementing partner, IREX, has been forced to leave Belarus after the authorities refused to renew its license. Since the beginning of July, three Belarusian NGOs - Ratusha, Varuta and Kontur - have been liquidated. The Human Rights Center "Viasna," the public association "Legal Assistance to the Public," the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, the Lew Sapeha Foundation and Narodnaya Gromada have been pressured and threatened. The highly regarded independent National Humanities Lyceum, which featured instruction free of state indoctrination, has been closed by the authorities. 

In August, President Lukashenko signed into law a bill on demonstrations passed by the National Assembly that allows authorities to ban political parties, trade unions and other organizations if they are found guilty of even the smallest breach of the law during rallies. This is entirely contrary to Belarus' OSCE commitment to respect and guarantee the right of individuals or groups to "establish, in full freedom, their own political parties and to form and...freely to join a trade union." It also contravenes the commitment that everyone will have the right to "demonstrate." We call on the Government of Belarus to abolish this law or to amend it to ensure compliance with OSCE commitments.

U.S. Statement on Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion of Belief

Statement by Ms. Janet Mayland

(Extract on Belarus)

In Belarus, the passing of a restrictive new religion law, the enactment of an accord between the government and the Russian Orthodox Church, and the new law on rallies and demonstrations have led to a serious deterioration in religious freedom. The new law on religion raises nearly insurmountable barriers to the entry of new faiths and the right of adherents to such faiths to express their religious beliefs. Since the new law came into force, police have reportedly raided religious meetings and issued warnings and fines. Some groups have experienced violence from the authorities. It is feared the accord with the Orthodox Church will result in greater discrimination and harassment of other religions, as it increases the Orthodox Church's influence over numerous areas of public life.