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B6-0259/2008
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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

20.5.2008

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 115 of the Rules of Procedure
by Konrad Szymański, Ryszard Czarnecki, Wojciech Roszkowski, Mieczysław Edmund Janowski, Ewa Tomaszewska, Adam Bielan, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the UEN Group
on the situation in Belarus

Eljárás : 2008/2581(RSP)
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B6-0259/2008
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B6-0259/2008
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B6‑0259/2008

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Belarus

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus and in particular to its resolution of 6 April 2006,

-  having regard to the November 2006 European Commission declaration of the European Union´s readiness to renew its relationship with Belarus and its people within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP),

-  having regard to its Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought which was awarded in December 2004 to the Belarusian Association of Journalists and in December 2006 to Aleksander Milinkevich,

-  having regard to Rule 115(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the European Parliament has pointed out that the Lukashenko regime lacks all democratic legitimacy and remains the last dictatorship in Europe and has repeatedly condemned the corrupt presidential, parliamentary and local elections in Belarus,

B.  whereas the Government of Belarus has exposed many democratic opposition activists to numerous repressions such as imprisonment, abuses and beatings, particularly as a result of their attempts to peacefully exercise their right to freedom of assembly and association,

C.  whereas freedom of speech and expression in Belarus is still suppressed by the Belarusian authorities, who have introduced several restrictions on independent journalists including seizing TV cameras, radio equipment and computers,

D.  whereas the continuous political and administrative pressure exerted upon non-governmental organisations in Belarus, threatens their existence and undermines their independence,

E.  whereas the United States has broadened the sanctions imposed on Belarusian state-owned companies,

1.  Deeply regrets the fact that, contrary to democratic principles, the situation relating to human rights and the rule of law is further deteriorating in Belarus;

2.  Condemns the detention of democratic opposition activists, who were arrested following demonstrations in Minsk on 25 March 2008 the ninetieth anniversary of the short-lived independence of Belarus in 1918;

3.  Deplores a series of arrests and fines imposed on Aleksander Milinkevich during his meetings in several cities in Belarus, this behaviour of Belarusian authorities being a clear harassment of the basic rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression;

4.  Urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately release all remaining political prisoners without any additional conditions;

5.  Condemns the detention of independent media journalists, searches in their homes and confiscation or destruction of their equipment by Belarusian secret services (KGB); also condemns efforts by Belarusian authorities to force independent journalists to have psychiatric examinations as these should be considered as a violation of the freedom of the press;

6.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to consider the possibilities of waiving the cost of visas for Belarusian citizens entering the Schengen area; appeals to Member States of the Schengen Treaty to make all efforts to facilitate entry into each Member State by Belarusian citizens who are not connected with the Lukashenko regime;

7.  Calls on the Commission and the Council and the international community as a whole to extend more support to the civil society of Belarus and, in particular, to increase financial aid to the independent media, to the non-governmental organisations and to Belarusian students studying abroad,

8.  Expresses its solidarity with the united democratic opposition of Belarus and all Belarusian citizens who strive for an independent, open and democratic Belarus based on the rule of law; encourages the leaders of the opposition to demonstrate unity and resolve in the upcoming parliamentary elections;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and the Belarus authorities.