20.08.2012
Russia accuses OSCE ODIHR of double standards
MINSK, 20 August (BelTA) – The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) uses double standards while evaluating election campaigns, Igor Borisov, a member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, told the Belarus One TV channel.
Speaking about the evaluation of election campaigns in the OSCE’s responsibility area, Igor Borisov mentioned the lack of universal documents that can be used in any country regardless of its location. He believes that it is high time common criteria to assess elections were developed. The criteria must be depoliticized and cannot include double standards. “Unfortunately, the OSCE ODIHR indulges in it [double standards] and it is vividly demonstrated by its actions as part of monitoring in the United States of America and the Republic of Belarus,” said Igor Borisov. He remarked that the double standards are manifested in the format of the mission sent to a country, the number of observers, and in who leads the mission. “Every mission head has his or her own established opinion regarding this or that country or a stereotype,” he explained.
The member of Russia’ CEC also said that while monitoring elections an OSCE ODIHR mission head is under a lot of pressure from the West “starting from the pressure originating from the Warsaw-based ODIHR HQ and ending with the pressure originating from the United States of America”. As an example Igor Borisov mentioned the elections held in Russia in 2007. “It is commonly acknowledged that the negative evaluations of the year 2007 elections in Russia were made by former OSCE ODIHR director Christian Strohal on his flight back from Washington,” he explained.
Speaking about the evaluation of election campaigns in the OSCE’s responsibility area, Igor Borisov mentioned the lack of universal documents that can be used in any country regardless of its location. He believes that it is high time common criteria to assess elections were developed. The criteria must be depoliticized and cannot include double standards. “Unfortunately, the OSCE ODIHR indulges in it [double standards] and it is vividly demonstrated by its actions as part of monitoring in the United States of America and the Republic of Belarus,” said Igor Borisov. He remarked that the double standards are manifested in the format of the mission sent to a country, the number of observers, and in who leads the mission. “Every mission head has his or her own established opinion regarding this or that country or a stereotype,” he explained.
The member of Russia’ CEC also said that while monitoring elections an OSCE ODIHR mission head is under a lot of pressure from the West “starting from the pressure originating from the Warsaw-based ODIHR HQ and ending with the pressure originating from the United States of America”. As an example Igor Borisov mentioned the elections held in Russia in 2007. “It is commonly acknowledged that the negative evaluations of the year 2007 elections in Russia were made by former OSCE ODIHR director Christian Strohal on his flight back from Washington,” he explained.