DEMOCRACY IN BELARUS

Early day motion 1773, tabled 8 March 2006 by Gary Streeter (Conservative). Signed by 88 members.

That this House deplores the recent arrests of opposition activists in Belarus who were campaigning for the Presidential elections on 19th March 2006, including the leaders of reputable political parties; notes that this forms part of a wide scale pattern of arrest, intimidation and oppression by forces loyal to President Lukashenko; believes that the international community should apply more pressure on the government of Belarus to ensure that these elections are free and fair; and looks forward to the day when the 10 million people of this European country can enjoy the freedoms that British people take for granted.

Signatures by party: Conservative 54, Liberal Democrat 15, Labour 13, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.