Belarus constitutional referendum fails to meet standards, UK says

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - A referendum to change the Belarusian constitution at the weekend failed to meet international standards, a senior British minister said on Tuesday.

The constitutional Referendum in Belarus also failed to “offer the Belarusian people a true set of options,” Minister for Europe and North America James Cleverly said in a statement.

“The lack of international observers or proper public consultation demonstrates the regime’s blatant attempts to prevent a democratic process,” Cleverly said.

“Furthermore, the arbitrary arrests and crackdown on protests seen during voting was unacceptable,” he added.

Cleverly said: “This result follows the flawed Presidential elections in 2020 where opposition candidates, journalists and peaceful protestors were imprisoned, and protests were brutally suppressed.

“It also takes place amidst Belarus’ unacceptable support of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”

Highlighting the UK’s support to “Belarusian people’s demand for the right to determine their own futures,” the minister urged the authorities “to engage in inclusive national dialogue with the democratic opposition and civil society.

A referendum held in Belarus approved a constitutional change that would allow the ex-Soviet country to host nuclear weapons.

The referendum result has been contested by various Western countries as Belarus has been accused of siding with Russians since the start of tensions with Ukraine.

Since Russia's war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met by an outcry from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against Russia.

Russia was further isolated after its planes were barred from flying in European and Canadian airspace, and several of its banks were kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.

At least 102 civilians have so far been killed in Ukraine and more than 500,000 others have fled the country, according to UN officials on Monday.