Written question asked by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 May 2006. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 May 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Belarus

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representationsshe has made to her Belarussian counterpart on the arrest and imprisonment of opposition leaderMr. Milinkevich; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Based on the 1997 General Affairs Council Conclusions, the EU suspended ministerial and high-level contacts with Belarus, while offering dialogue and assistance if Belarus addressed reform. Neither my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) or my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Europe (Mr. Alexander), have therefore made representations direct to their respective counterparts. However, my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Europe made the following statement on Friday 28 April on behalf of the Government:"““I wholeheartedly condemn this action against people who were trying to exercise legitimate rights of freedom of assembly and expression. Once again the Belarusian authorities have demonstrated their lack of tolerance, respect for their people, and adherence to democratic standards.""In line with the statements of the EU Presidency and colleagues in EU member states, I call on the Belarusian authorities to release immediately Mr Milinkevich, those imprisoned with him and all other political detainees imprisoned following the flawed presidential election on 19 March””."

Secondary information