OSCE/ODIHR fails to reconcile its observation methods with member states

MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) – Belarus is in favor of greater transparency and integrity of election observation conducted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Chairman of the Permanent Commission for International Affairs of the House of Representatives of Belarus Nikolai Samoseiko told an online video briefing held at the House of Representatives upon the initiative of the National Press Center of Belarus and the Information Analysis Portal of the Union State, BelTA has learnt.

The MP noted that the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights uses election observation methods that were not agreed with the other OSCE member states. “This is the reason why Belarus wants election monitoring conducted by the OSCE to be more transparent and objective. We have urged our OSCE partners to develop and approve harmonized rules within the framework of collective bodies of the OSCE,” Nikolai Samoseiko noted.

MPs of the other EU member states are also concerned by the autonomy of the OSCE/ODIHR. “The work of the ODIHR has been repeatedly criticized at the OSCE PA sessions by the OSCE PA officials and members of the Assembly, because ODIHR tries to impose its opinion and ignores the views of the MPs from the other OSCE member states who also monitor elections,” Nikolai Samoseiko said.

The Chairman of the Permanent Commission for International Affairs outlined priority avenues of interparliamentary cooperation of the House of Representatives in 2013 and expressed his views about the future of the Union State in the context of the development of the Eurasian integration and establishment of the Eurasian Union.