German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (file photo) (epa)
PRAGUE, March 26, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today denounced the Belarusian authorities' use of force against opposition protesters.
Many protesters were beaten and detained on March 25 as they rallied in Minsk to dispute the March 19 reelection of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
In a statement, Steinmeier said that "the basic right to freedom of opinion and assembly" must also apply in Belarus. He also said he planned to invite Belarusian opposition leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich to attend the next meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next month.
The EU is considering new sanctions against Belarus in view of the March 19 election, which it termed undemocratic.
Steinmeier also called for the immediate release of opposition leader Alyaksandr Kazulin, who was among the protesters detained on March 25.
(RFE/RL's Russian and Belarus services, with Reuters, AP)
THE COMPLETE PICTURE: Click on the image to view a dedicated page with news, analysis, and background information about the Belarusian presidential ballot.
In a statement, Steinmeier said that "the basic right to freedom of opinion and assembly" must also apply in Belarus. He also said he planned to invite Belarusian opposition leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich to attend the next meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next month.
The EU is considering new sanctions against Belarus in view of the March 19 election, which it termed undemocratic.
Steinmeier also called for the immediate release of opposition leader Alyaksandr Kazulin, who was among the protesters detained on March 25.
(RFE/RL's Russian and Belarus services, with Reuters, AP)
Minsk, March 25
Minsk, March 25
THE AUTHORITIES GET TOUGH: RFE/RL's Belarus Service filed these images from the police action against the March 25 demonstration in Minsk. Photographs by Maks Kapran.
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THE COMPLETE PICTURE: Click on the image to view a dedicated page with news, analysis, and background information about the Belarusian presidential ballot.
COVERAGE IN BELARUSIAN: Click on the image to view RFE/RL's coverage of the election campaign in Belarusian and to listen to RFE/RL's Belarusian Service.