Australia, Canada, the EU, New Zealand and the UK have released a
joint statement following Belarus' sham presidential elections on
26 January 2025.
Joint statement from the Commonwealth of Australia, Canada, The
European Union, New Zealand, and The United Kingdom of Great
Britain & Northern Ireland:
We are united in our condemnation of the sham presidential
elections in Belarus on 26 January and the ongoing human rights
violations perpetrated by the Belarusian regime. Recently
announced sanctions represent a coordinated, multilateral effort
to hold the Lukashenko regime to account.
No election can be considered free, fair or in line with
international standards when it is held in a climate of ongoing
repression, marked by a clampdown on civil society, arbitrary
detentions, and restrictions on genuine political participation.
The regime's decision to invite the Organisation for Security and
Cooperation in Europe / Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights to observe only 10 days before the elections
prevented ODIHR's access to key stages of the election process.
These actions are at odds with Belarus' international commitments
and demonstrate a clear desire to avoid transparency in the
electoral process.
We condemn the ongoing appalling human rights violations
committed by the Lukashenko regime and call on them to release
the over 1,250 political prisoners who remain unjustly detained.
We urge Belarus to follow its international human rights
obligations and OSCE commitments in all respects, including
restoring an open civil society, to create an environment in
which new elections which meet international standards can be
held. We stand with the Belarusian people and recognise their
right to determine their own future in a genuinely free and fair
manner, without fear, oppression or external interference.
We will continue to support the aspirations of the Belarusian
people for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.
