Belarus’ embassy to Ukraine denies registration to independent observer

The Belarusian Embassy to Ukraine has not authorized the registration of independent observer Hanna Darashchuk, representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee.

Yury Sluka, Belarusian consul in Kyiv and head of the election commission, refers to a decree by the Central Election Commission that reportedly does not cover polling stations located abroad. However, experts of the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections say that the envoy is wrong, as the ban imposed on agreement with the CEC violates its own decision.

“The denial of registration of the observer runs counter to the electoral legislation. The election commissions working in the diplomatic and consulate missions of Belarus are just the same as those located inside the country. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 says that the premises of the diplomatic mission shall be considered the territory of the Sending State. Therefore, the laws of the Republic of Belarus are applicable to the mission,” says Uladzimir Labkovich, expert of the campaign.

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”