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Press release
ODIHR Director satisfied with Belarus talks on improved civil registration
- Date:
- Place:
- MINSK/WARSAW
- Source:
- OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
- Fields of work:
- Elections, Democratization
MINSK/WARSAW, 26 November 2003 - The Director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Christian Strohal, today expressed satisfaction at the constructive dialogue held with the Belarusian authorities during his first working visit to Minsk.
During his trip to the Belarusian capital on 25 and 26 November, the Director addressed a number of issues at meetings with officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The issues included population registration, freedom of association, elections, and alternative sentencing. The Director also expressed his interest in increasing general co-operation with Belarus.
Addressing an international conference on civil registration, Ambassador Strohal commended the authorities for steps they have taken to modernize the system of registration in Belarus.
"It is to Belarus' credit that it is moving away from the Soviet-era propiska system and towards a system of civil registration. Such a system enables every citizen to exercise the constitutional right to freedom of movement and choice of place of residence," he said.
The conference, which was organized by the OSCE/ODIHR in co-operation with Belarusian authorities, brought experts together from Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova, Denmark and the Netherlands. The event was related to a project on reforming the civil registration system, funded by the European Commission and implemented by the ODIHR and the Government of Belarus.
Ambassador Strohal also praised the discussion on legislative reforms regarding alternative sentencing that took place at an OSCE/ODIHR seminar, also held in Minsk on 26 November.
"Both events are a positive and practical step towards fulfilling general human rights standards and human rights commitments in Belarus. Such an approach is essential to addressing necessary amendments to the Electoral Code in time for elections next year," he said, during a meeting with Lidia Yermoshina, Head of the Central Election Commission.
"Measures to increase transparency and confidence in the voting are key elements. These include early voting, the composition of election commissions, the rights of observers, and the complaints and appeals processes", he added.
During his trip to the Belarusian capital on 25 and 26 November, the Director addressed a number of issues at meetings with officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The issues included population registration, freedom of association, elections, and alternative sentencing. The Director also expressed his interest in increasing general co-operation with Belarus.
Addressing an international conference on civil registration, Ambassador Strohal commended the authorities for steps they have taken to modernize the system of registration in Belarus.
"It is to Belarus' credit that it is moving away from the Soviet-era propiska system and towards a system of civil registration. Such a system enables every citizen to exercise the constitutional right to freedom of movement and choice of place of residence," he said.
The conference, which was organized by the OSCE/ODIHR in co-operation with Belarusian authorities, brought experts together from Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Moldova, Denmark and the Netherlands. The event was related to a project on reforming the civil registration system, funded by the European Commission and implemented by the ODIHR and the Government of Belarus.
Ambassador Strohal also praised the discussion on legislative reforms regarding alternative sentencing that took place at an OSCE/ODIHR seminar, also held in Minsk on 26 November.
"Both events are a positive and practical step towards fulfilling general human rights standards and human rights commitments in Belarus. Such an approach is essential to addressing necessary amendments to the Electoral Code in time for elections next year," he said, during a meeting with Lidia Yermoshina, Head of the Central Election Commission.
"Measures to increase transparency and confidence in the voting are key elements. These include early voting, the composition of election commissions, the rights of observers, and the complaints and appeals processes", he added.
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