MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on  the severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus

17.9.2024 - (2024/2804(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 150 of the Rules of Procedure

Michał Kobosko, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Bernard Guetta, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Moritz Körner, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
on behalf of the Renew Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B10-0026/2024

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B10‑0052/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus

(2024/2804(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus,

–  having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

1. whereas the first parliamentary “elections” since the fraudulent 2020 presidential ballot on 25 February 2024 in Belarus, failed basic democratic standards and deprived Belarusians of their fundamental right to vote freely; whereas for the 2025 presidential elections, Lukashenka announced his 7th term candidacy;

 

2. whereas over 35,000 people have been illegally arrested by the Belarusian regime since 2020; whereas over 1,400 citizens remain imprisoned as Ales Bialiatsky, Maksim Znak, Syarhey Tsikhanouski, Mikola Statkevich, Viktar Babaryka, Ihar Losik, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Uladzimir Labkovich, Marfa Rabkova, Andrei Chapiuk, and Anastasia Lojka, deprived of food, medical care and contact to lawyers and families, being held in solitary confinement in blunt violation of Belarus' obligation under international law;

 

3. whereas since 2021 seven political prisoners as Vadzim Khrasko and Ihar Lednik died, with prisonsers’ as Andrei Voinich, Aliaksandr Fiaduta and Maryia Kalesnikava deteriorating health, more deaths can be feared;

 

4. whereas pressing economic charges like tax evasion being a common measure of the regime for prosecution not ending abroad as Andrei Gnyot being arrested on an international arrest warrant issued by Belarus when fleeing to Belgrade; whereas the discriminatory misuse of the Belarusian Bar using sham trials on trumped-up charges as for Andrzej Poczobut and Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk;

 

5. whereas approximately 300,000 Belarusians have been forced to leave Belarus since 2020, resulting from systematic repression, continuing to face political persecution abroad;

 

 

1.  Calls for the immediate, unconditional release and compensation of all political prisoners while restoring their full rights; reminds the regime of the international requirements of due process and judicial protection and of Article 10 ICCPR, assuring medical treatment and contact to relatives and lawyers for political prisoners.

2.  Reiterates its call for holding Lukashenka and its enablers accountable in front of a tribunal, ensures its support to the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, calls on the Commission and the Member States to uphold the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus, and to support opening an ICC case.

3.  Calls on the HR/VP and the Council to impose stronger sanctions on the Lukashenka regime particularly on those responsible for human rights violations like Justice Ministry officials and leaders of the Belarusian bar, against goods involving forced labour of political prisoners and stricter financial sanctions.

4.  Welcomes the annulment of Andrey Gnyot’s wrongful extradition by Serbia, reminds of  international obligations like non-refoulement for persons at risk, reiterates its support to regime victims, to address cases of statelessness, issuing EU visas and residence permits; confirms its solidarity with the democratic forces, civil society and independent media and its will to work tirelessly for their legitimate aspirations for their democratic and European future;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to Council, Commission, the HR/VP, Member States, the representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces, the de facto Belarusian authorities, the UN and the OSCE.