The United States has criticized Belarusian authorities for terminating the OSCE mission in the country and called the decision "a step backwards" in the development of democracy in Belarus.
Belarusian authorities have discontinued the mandate of the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the country's capital Minsk after Europe's top rights watchdog lambasted December's presidential elections.
"The United States deeply regrets the Government of Belarus' decision to terminate the Mission of the OSCE Office in Minsk... unfortunately, this is a step backwards in the development of democratic government and respect for human rights in Belarus," Philip Crowley said at a press briefing on Monday.
According to Crowley, the OSCE Mission in Belarus "was founded to assist the Belarusian Government in institution building, promoting the rule of law, and encouraging outreach to civil society," but these tasks have not been accomplished yet, judging by the results of the recent presidential elections in the country. - pna
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