MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

4.7.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jonas Sjöstedt and André Brie
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on Belarus

B6‑0424/2005

European Parliament resolution on Belarus

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus,

–  having regard to the final conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly of 9 December 2004,

–  having regard to the resolutions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the situation in Belarus and, in particular, its resolution of 28 April 2004 on the persecution of the press in the Republic of Belarus,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas on 17 October 2004 the Council of Europe condemned the parliamentary elections and referendum held in Belarus as not meeting international standards,

B.  whereas the EU has repeatedly condemned the arrest of prominent opposition leaders in Belarus, whereas no progress has been made in the unsolved cases of a number of disappeared persons and whereas the situation as regards democracy and human rights in Belarus has further deteriorated,

C.  whereas, in April 2004, the UN Commission on Human Rights criticised Belarus for continued reports of arbitrary arrests and detention and for harassment of non-governmental organisations, opposition political parties and those engaged in democratic activities,

D.  whereas 22 independent newspapers were closed down in the period 2003-2004 and an additional seven were temporarily closed in the period leading up to the parliamentary elections in October 2004,

E.  whereas publishing has been monopolised by the government and the remaining private publishers face heavy fines if they publish independent newspapers,

F.  whereas the system of distribution of the press has been monopolised by state companies and all private distribution of mass media was banned in 2004,

G.  whereas all television programmes, both national and regional, are under government control,

1.  Strongly condemns the Belarus regime's attacks on the media, journalists, members of the opposition, human rights activists and any person who attempts freely to voice criticism of the President and the regime;

2.  Reaffirms its call on the Belarusian authorities to ensure the constitutionally guaranteed right of expression and freedom of the press; calls on the Commission to contribute to the development of democratic and independent, including non-profit, media by means of the EIDHR and to support repressed journalists and their families;

3.  Emphasises once again that the further development of EU relations with Belarus will continue to depend on the progress made towards democratisation and reform in the country and Belarusians' access to objective, free and transparent media;

4.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and the Government and Parliament of Belarus.