The current president of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, denounced Friday in Vienna the "deeply alarming" situation in Belarus, urging Minsk to let him undertake mediation.
Following the disputed presidential election of August 9, "the government (of Belarus) reacted to the protests with disproportionate use of force, widespread detentions and restrictions on media freedom," Edi Rama lamented. opening of a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on the situation in Belarus.
“More than 100 journalists have been detained, deported or subjected to violence. This is deeply alarming, as are the loss of life and reports of missing persons. The picture is ugly to say the least. It is a potential nightmare for Belarus and for its people, ”he added.
"We can play a role and help dialogue"
Edi Rama recalled his mediation proposal sent on August 17 to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, which is still valid. “We can play a role and help dialogue. Please give this offer a chance, ”he said in the presence of delegates from the 57 member countries of the organization, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
Alexander Lukashenko faces the opposition which rejects the results of the presidential election giving him the winner with 80% of the vote. OSCE observers were not present on the day of the vote, a first since 2001, because they had not been invited in time.
The OSCE is an international organization created in the 1970s to improve dialogue between East and West during the Cold War. Belarus is a member. Its annual presidency is currently held by Albania.
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