Joint Statement on the Report by the Rapporteur under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism on the Serious Threat to the OSCE Human Dimension in Belarus since 5 N

The first steps toward security and stability for the people of Belarus remains for the Belarusian authorities to release all those unjustly imprisoned, to end the campaign of violence against peaceful protesters, and to hold perpetrators to account.  Read More»

Joint Statement: Moscow Mechanism Invocation on Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Republic of Belarus

We invoke paragraph 12 of the 1991 Document of the Moscow meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the (then) CSCE in order to establish a fact-finding mission of experts to examine the human dimension issues identified above. Read More»

Joint statement on the anniversaries of the Moscow Mechanism Report on Belarus and the invocation of the Vienna Mechanism

The Belarusian authorities have further increased harassment and intimidation efforts by widening of the scope of the death penalty to vaguely defined “attempted terrorist activities”. Read More»

Right of Reply to Belarus on the Russian Federation’s Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine

Right of Reply to Belarus on the Russian Federation’s Ongoing Aggression Against Ukraine As delivered by Ambassador Michael Carpenter to the Permanent Council, Vienna March 24, 2022  Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, with regards to the intervention, just now, from the Belarusian representative, where he says that his country has no plans to attack Ukrainian ... Read More»

One Year Anniversary of the Fraudulent Presidential Election in Belarus

Three days ago, we marked the one-year anniversary of the August 9 fraudulent presidential election in Belarus and the subsequent violent crackdown by the Lukashenka regime. Today, our thoughts remain with Belarusians who continue to peacefully demand respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Read More»

Statement on the 51st Round of the Geneva International Discussions (Conflict in Georgia)

Statement on the 51st Round of the Geneva International Discussions (Conflict in Georgia) As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chair. The United States welcomes the successful effort to convene the 51st round of the Geneva International Discussions in Geneva on December ... Read More»

Human Rights Violations in Belarus

Human Rights Violations in Belarus As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Mr. Chairperson, at the final PC of the year, it is appropriate that we take stock of events in Belarus since the fraudulent August 9 presidential election.  We continue to ... Read More»

Joint Statement on Belarus

Joint Statement on Belarus Statement Delivered by H.E. Päivi Laivola de Rosière, Ambassador of Finland, to the OSCE Ministerial Council Tirana, Albania (remotely, via Zoom) December 4, 2020 I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the following 36 participating  States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,  Estonia, France, ... Read More»

OSCE Ministerial – Belarus Side Event Closing Remarks

OSCE Ministerial – Belarus Side Event Closing Remarks As prepared for delivery by DAS George Kent to the OSCE Side Event on Belarus Tirana, Albania (remotely, via Zoom) December 3, 2020 As we conclude today’s event, I want to express my government’s thanks to our UK colleagues, the other co-sponsors, and Minister Kofod of Denmark ... Read More»

On Human Rights Violations in Belarus

On Human Rights Violations in Belarus As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 19, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.   The European Union is right.  And we follow on behind their statement.  The right to peaceful assembly is one that Americans jealously defend.  But it’s more than that, Mr. Chairperson.  ... Read More»

Right of Reply to the Report under the Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus

Right of Reply to the Report under the Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus  As delivered  by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ve listened closely to the discussions that have been held from some of the other countries and I think it’s ... Read More»

U.S. National Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation To Belarus

U.S. National Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation To Belarus As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Mr. Chairman, the United States thanks OSCE Moscow Mechanism Rapporteur Professor Wolfgang Benedek for his compelling, thorough, and exceptionally well documented report.  ... Read More»

Joint Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus

Joint Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus Statement Delivered by H.E. René Rosager Dinesen, Ambassador of Denmark to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020   Mr Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following delegations who, acting together, on 17 September invoked the Moscow Mechanism ... Read More»

Freedom of Movement | Statement at Working Session 13 of HDIM 2016

In Vienna in 1989, all participating States committed to, “respect the right of everyone to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State, and to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.” This right is still not fully respected in all participating States. Let me make it ... Read More»

Freedom of Expression, Information, and Media Freedom | Statement at Working Session 6 of HDIM 2016

In establishing the Representative on Freedom of the Media in 1997, the OSCE participating States recognized that “free, independent, and pluralistic media are essential to a free and open society and accountable systems of government.” Read More»

Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly | Statement at Working Session 5 of HDIM 2016

Freedom of association is necessary for the fullest exercise of the freedoms of expression and of religion or belief, and for the conduct of free and fair elections. It is a cornerstone for the rights of persons seeking to form independent trade unions. Read More»

Democratic Institutions | Statement at Working Session 1 of HDIM 2016

Elections are an essential element of democracy and a cornerstone of democratic institutions. The U.S. greatly appreciates the OSCE’s invaluable role in election observation – indeed, this organization has developed what is known as the “gold standard” for its methodology on evaluating elections. Read More»

On the presidential election in Belarus: Statement to the PC

The United States joins other participating States in welcoming the peaceful conduct of the October 11 presidential election in Belarus. We were, however, disappointed that the election fell significantly short of Belarus’ OSCE commitments and international standards for holding democratic elections, as demonstrated by reports from the OSCE ODIHR and Parliamentary Assembly election observation mission. ... Read More»

Closing Reinforced Plenary – Any Other Business: HDIM 2015

The United States, for several years, has used this agenda item to follow up on the invocation of the Moscow Mechanism concerning Turkmenistan and Belarus. The United States believes it is important that we continue to use our human rights mechanisms – and that means we, the participating States, need to take action based on the outcomes of ... Read More»

On the Release of Political Prisoners in Belarus: Statement to the PC

For many years, and as recently as May, the United States has used the Permanent Council to call on the government of Belarus to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and to restore fully their political and civil rights. Consequently, the United States welcomes the August 22 release from prison in Belarus of Mikalai ... Read More»

On Mikolai Statkevich, Mikalai Dziadok, and other political prisoners in Belarus: Statement to the PC

The United States is concerned by recent developments in the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus. On May 4, former presidential candidate Mikolai Statkevich was sentenced to harsher prison conditions and increased security measures for alleged violations of prison rules. Mr. Statkevich is serving a six-year sentence related to his participation in peaceful protests following ... Read More»

Closing Reinforced Plenary: Any Other Business | HDIM 2014

The United States for several years has used this agenda item to follow up on the recommendations made by the fact-finding missions resulting from the invocation of the Moscow Mechanism concerning Turkmenistan and Belarus.  Because the conditions that gave rise to invocations of the Mechanism remain ongoing, my delegation will again address these serious issues.  ... Read More»
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