Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-10-08-Speech-3-139"
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"en.20081008.17.3-139"2
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"Ladies and gentlemen, Belarus has repeatedly been described as ‘Europe’s last dictatorship’ and remains so today. The parliamentary elections on 28 September were a litmus test. It was a fine gesture for President Lukashenko to release political prisoners before the elections. Yet it has also become clear that the opposition will not enter parliament in the short term. The OSCE assessed the elections correctly.
One of the most important aspects for strengthening Belarusian civil society is the European Union’s visa policy. Civil society must be as fully involved as possible in the democratisation of Belarus. In order to be active citizens, people must have a broader world view. And the opportunity to get out of a totalitarian country.
Belarusians need visas in order to travel. Obtaining a Schengen visa is a complex and time-consuming process. The visa process needs to be simplified. People should not be punished. By making circulation of people a complex process, we restrict Belarusians from partaking in the values and culture of the European Union. It is not our intention to punish the civil society of Belarus.
It is high time to change. The people of Belarus deserve as much. And it is our job as Europeans to help them."@en1
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