the referendum are "invalid from the legal point of view and should be abolished". He agrees with the point that numerous issues related to national history, traditions, culture and language were put to the referendum in violation of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. According to Pastukhov, Pahonia and the white-red-white flag remain the state symbols of Belarus de jure. International The Russian State Duma issued a statement supporting the official results of the referendum. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly stated that the referendum violated international standards and noted concerns over governmental control over the media, interference with the voting process, and obstacles to the opposition's activities. The US Department of State also criticized the Belarusian government over the referendum. Aftermath The decrees about the new state flag and new coat of arms were signed by Lukashenko on 7 July 1995. References Referendums in Belarus 1995 in Belarus Belarus Alexander Lukashenko Constitutional referendums National symbols of Belarus Languages of Belarus Flag referendums Russian language in Belarus Russification Neo-Sovietism