The US State Department condemned the parliamentary elections in Belarus.
"The United States condemns the fake parliamentary and local elections of the Lukashenko regime in Belarus. The elections were held in an atmosphere of fear, under which no electoral process can be called democratic. The administration continues to keep more than 1,400 political prisoners. All independent politicians were either arrested or exiled. All independent parties were denied registration. Belarusians abroad could only vote if they returned to Minsk, where they would likely face reprisals. These abuses have effectively frozen real political activity and discourse within Belarus. The regime has prevented the visit of the OSCE observation mission, further limiting transparency, which is essential for free and fair elections," said US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
"The United States reiterates its call to the Lukashenko regime to end its repression, release all political prisoners, and engage in dialogue with its political opponents. The people of Belarus deserve better," the statement said.
