Belarusian MPs taking part in OSCE PA's 21st Autumn Meeting

A delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus is taking part in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's 21st Autumn Meeting, BelTA learned from the press service of the House of Representatives.

On 18 November, the Belarusian delegation took part in the meeting of the PA's Standing Committee and the Autumn Meeting's Parliamentary Conference, being held under the theme “OSCE in Times of Crisis: Role of the PA in Responding to Internal and External Challenges”. On the same day, the Belarusian parliamentarians took part in the discussion dedicated to security issues and the role of the OSCE in an era of conflict.

The work at the parliamentary conference continued throughout 19 November. During the discussion of corruption as a fundamental threat to peace and security, the Belarusian delegation told foreign counterparts about Belarus' efforts to combat corruption, which is a priority of the country's domestic policy. It was noted that while implementing its anti-corruption policy, Belarus follows such fundamental principles as ensuring transparency of government agencies, effective control and supervisory procedures, as well as the inevitability of responsibility for violations.

While discussing issues dedicated to the protection of minorities and people affected by the conflict, it was noted that Belarus was alarmed by the irresponsible actions of its European neighbors in the wake of the increasing instability in the region: the concentration of armed forces at the border allegedly to counter the migration threat, gross disregard for the rights of migrants in violation of international and European laws, the construction of new separation fences and walls, and the smear campaign against Belarus.

The Belarusian delegation noted that the EU agencies unilaterally ruined the system of border security cooperation with Belarus. These unilateral actions by the European Union led to a reduction in border guard capacity. At the same time, the Belarusian side is bewildered and outraged by the actions of the border services of Lithuania and Poland that beat migrants on their territory under the pretext of fighting the migration threat. More than a dozen bodies of badly beaten migrants were dumped to Belarus' territory. All these incidents are carefully documented in accordance with international requirements and transferred to the relevant international organizations.