The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs notes that the presidential elections in Belarus on 9 August have not been held in conformity with the OSCE standards. We call on the Belarusian Government and law enforcement authorities to respect civil liberties of Belarusian people and their right to freely express their political opinion. The use of force against peaceful protesters is unacceptable. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for an immediate release of the detained participants of protests.
Latvia regrets that international observers from the OSCE and the Council of Europe have not been able to participate in monitoring of the elections. The work of the mass media in covering the election process has also been restricted.
It is deplorable that several presidential candidates had been denied the possibility of registering their candidacy for the election.
A positive development of relations between the EU and Belarus is only possible through observing fundamental democratic rights and freedoms. Latvia, being a neighbour to Belarus, is interested in such development.