BRUSSELS, December 2 (RIA Novosti, Alexander Shishlo) - Britain, which currently holds the EU chairmanship, expressed concern Friday over a bill of amendments to the Belarusian Criminal Code.
Belarusian parliamentarians passed the bill of amendments in the first reading Friday. The amendments would introduce criminal punishment for anti-government actions that lead to foreign pressure and discredit Belarus.
A statement by Britain said the introduction of the bill was an obvious attempt to scare the Belarusian people and suppress freedom of speech when the country was nearing presidential elections.
The statement urges Belarusian parliamentarians to reconsider their decision and cancel the bill.
