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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the freedom of individual Belarus MPs to conduct their duties and about their parliamentary immunity; and what representations have been made in this regard to (a) the Belarus President and (b) the OSCE. [63133] Ms Quin: We and the EU regard the 13th Supreme Soviet as the legitimate parliament. It was disbanded following the 1996 constitutional referendum which failed to meet democratic standards. In its place, the National Assembly was appointed which is not genuinely representative. However, National Assembly members are free to conduct their parliamentary duties. Together with our EU partners, HMG have regularly raised their concerns with Belarusian Ministers about the flawed constitutional situation and human rights abuses. The OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group was set up in Minsk in February 1998. It helps Belarus to promote democracy and comply with OSCE commitments. HMG support its work and receive regular reports from the OSCE and the British Embassy in Minsk on the situation.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

63133; 322 c283W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Legislatures Members Parliamentary privilege Belarus Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe