Call for an end to violence in Belarus and need for political dialogue with mediation of the OSCE

The presidential elections on August 9, 2020 took place under massive political pressure and contrary to Belarusian laws and international commitments. The ongoing state violence and detention of protesters against election rigging violates the Paris Charter and the values ​​of democracy and Human rights in Europe. They are shaking Belarusian society and endanger security in Europe.

The undersigned organizations support the latest initiative of the Presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, to initiate a political discussion process in Belarus. We join the call to establish a round table and start a political dialogue between progressive groups of the Belarusian government and representatives of the opposition and civil society in Belarus. Groups in government willing to change should be addressed and invited to join this process. The round table should be
organized under the chairmanship and mediation of the OSCE and the EU. The parties involved should develop a mechanism for holding free and internationally monitored elections with the aim of forming a democratically elected parliament and a government legitimized by elections. All political prisoners in the country must immediately be released.

If you wish to also sign this petition, go to the following link (petition in German): http://human-rights-belarus.org/aufruf-zum-ende-der-gewalt-in-belarus-beginn-eines-politischen-dialogs-unter-vermittlung-der-osze?fbclid=IwAR0JQoVIefhb_H_f_PxPR_eED5TkXJ2srHfM01Ox3mpJIDNzEL_BqldxVc4 

Undersigned

Stephan Malerius, Human Rights in Belarus e.V.

Markus Meckel, German-Belarusian Society e.V.

Stefanie Schiffer, European Exchange gGmbH

Jörg Forbrig, German Marshall Fund of the United States

Marieluise Beck, Center for Liberal Modernism

Ralf Fücks, Center for Liberal Modernism

Stefane Melle, German-Russian Exchange e.V.

The call is also attached in German below