OSCE laments Belarus’ refusal to allow its monitors to observe February’s parliamentary vote

By YURAS KARMANAU
Associated Press

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A top trans-Atlantic security and rights watchdog is criticizing Belarus’ refusal to allow the group to observe its parliamentary vote, saying that it defies the country’s international obligations. Belarusian authorities announced Monday that they wouldn’t invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to monitor February’s parliamentary and local elections. Belarus is a member of the OSCE, and the group’s monitors have been the only international observers at Belarusian elections for decades. The election will be the first since the contentious 2020 presidential balloting that triggered an unprecedented wave of mass protests.