A delegation of the European Parliament led by Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski, chairperson of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Belarus, is expected to stay in Belarus on June 18 and 19.
The delegation will meet with the families of political prisoners, opposition politicians and civil society activists, as well as government officials, reported Radio Racyja with reference to Mr. Zdrojewski's spokesperson.
Previous attempts by the heads of the Delegation for Relations with Belarus to visit the country failed.
According to unconfirmed reports, the Belarusian government has suggested that the delegation should have meetings at the Belarusian National Assembly, which is not recognized by the European Parliament. Ryszard Czarnecki, vice president of the European Parliament, said that only talks with Belarusian authorities may help improve the human rights situation in the country.
There are plans to have meetings with opposition politicians, human rights defenders, and government officials, said the Polish MEP, who may be included in the delegation. According to him, discussions with Belarusian government officials may become instrumental in improving Belarus' human rights record and ensuring the observance of civil rights and reporters' rights in the country.
