Germany Criticizes Belarusian Authorities
March 26, 2006
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (file photo) (epa)
Many protesters were beaten and detained on March 25 as they rallied in Minsk to dispute the March 19 reelection of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
In a statement, Steinmeier said that "the basic right to freedom of opinion and assembly" must also apply in Belarus. He also said he planned to invite Belarusian opposition leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich to attend the next meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg next month.
The EU is considering new sanctions against Belarus in view of the March 19 election, which it termed undemocratic.
Steinmeier also called for the immediate release of opposition leader Alyaksandr Kazulin, who was among the protesters detained on March 25.
(RFE/RL's Russian and Belarus services, with Reuters, AP)