The results of the assessment of the EaP CSF Monitoring Mission to Belarus indicate that the August 9 presidential election in the Republic of Belarus cannot be considered free or fair due to a number of gross violations of democratic norms and standards. During all stages of the electoral process, the Belarusian authorities failed to respect and preserve the human and political rights set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document, as well as in the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus.
General recommendations
- Cancel the results of the August 9, 2020, presidential election due to massive violations that occurred at all stages of the electoral process;
- Organise new presidentialelections within a reasonable timeframe, preferably under the conditions of an improved electoral legislation and with unrestricted access for domestic and international observers;
- Release all political prisoners, as well as all persons accused of committing administrative and criminal offences related to the election campaign, election and post-election period;
- Investigate all cases of torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, and deaths of protesters that took place in the context of the election campaign period and after the elections;
- Prevent escalation between protesters and law-enforcement bodies by refraining from the disproportionate and unlawful use of special equipment against peaceful protesters.
