Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-02-11-Speech-2-065"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-02-11"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:EU-Belarus relations2
dcterms:Language	"sv"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20030211.4.2-065"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-02-11-Speech-2-0662
lpv:speaker	lp:Cecilia Malmström2
lpv:spokenAs	unknown; Folkpartiet liberalerna (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3,3 substitute; Delegation to the EU-Latvia Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-07--2004-04-30)3,3 substitute; AFCO (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3,3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and Mexico (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3,3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3,3 vice-chair; Delegation to the EU-Hungary Joint Parliamentary Committee (2002-02-06--2004-04-30)3,3 member_of_the_bureau; ELDR (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3,3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, the Group of the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party hopes that it might be possible for Belarus one day to be accepted into the European Community. We hope that the country can introduce democracy, human rights and principles characteristic of a state governed by law. We hope that a market economy will be introduced so that the badly afflicted Belorusian people might experience economic prosperity and dare to believe in the future. Unfortunately, we are an infinitely long way away from realising that vision. The trend is completely in the wrong direction, and it is no exaggeration to say that Lukashenko is an odious Communist dictator. His latest professions of friendship for his fellow dictator, Saddam Hussein are no doubt in keeping with what we know about the Belorusian leader. The list of atrocities in Belarus is endless: imprisoned and disappeared journalists, persecution, maltreatment, torture of opponents, farcical elections, frequent application of the death penalty and no freedom of expression. Moreover, Belarus is both a country of origin and country of transit when it comes to extensive trafficking in women and children, and a vast number of illegal weapons circulate there. Obviously, it is not possible to have any official and formal contacts with the Belorusian regime. Even though I value the idea of a structured dialogue, I wonder how it will be possible for this to take place with the regime in question. However, it is important, just as Commissioner Patten said, to strengthen the limited and courageous opposition that exists: opposition parties, human rights organisations, voluntary organisations and journalists who desperately need our help and who are fighting against extreme odds. This support would be best provided in cooperation with the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the UN. The troika, of which the European Parliament is a part, would also fulfil a very important function. There is cause for taking a gloomy view of developments in Belarus, but let us not for that reason betray the Belorusian people, who have had to put up with a great deal, and let us never stop putting pressure on the regime and the authorities. The forthcoming local elections are something to focus on. My group supports Mr Marset Campos’s very well prepared report and wants to congratulate him on this work."@en1

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