
Photo:© Kaspars Krafts
The Latvian Saeima has issued a statement in which it refused to recognize the presidential elections in Belarus scheduled for January 26 as legitimate.
The statement stresses that these elections do not comply with the principles of freedom and democracy, and that the election results are already clear and predictable.
The Latvian Saeima has condemned the Lukashenka regime for consolidating power and continuing repression, as a result of which more than 1,200 political prisoners are still under arrest.
The deputies called on the international community to strengthen sanctions and counter attempts to legalize the Lukashenka regime in the international arena. According to the head of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Latvian Saeima, Inara Murniece, these elections cannot be considered legitimate because they take place without freedom of speech, as well as in violation of basic human rights and democratic principles.