Written question asked by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 7 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 March 2011. It was answered by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 March 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Belarus: Human Rights

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to promote respect for human rights in Belarus.

Answer: The UK is at the forefront of efforts within the EU and the wider international community to bring pressure to bear on the Belarusian authorities, following the fraudulent election and crackdown on the opposition and human rights defenders last December. We have been vocal in advocating a tough EU response, such as re-imposing targeted sanctions on the individuals responsible for human rights abuses. We have repeatedly demanded the release of those detained on political grounds, both at a national level and through our membership of international organisations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe and at the UN Council on Human Rights.

Secondary information