MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

29.3.2006

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jan Marinus Wiersma and Joseph Muscat
on behalf of the PSE Group
on the presidential elections in Belarus

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0234/2006

B6‑0234/2006

European Parliament resolution on the presidential elections in Belarus

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus, in particular its resolution on Belarus of 16 February 2006[1],

–  having regard to the declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union of 22 March 2006 on the presidential elections in Belarus and to the conclusions of the European Council of 23 and 24 March 2006 on Belarus,

–  having regard to the conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the presidential elections of 19 March 2006 in Belarus,

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

A.  whereas the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the presidential elections of 19 March 2006 in Belarus concluded that those elections failed to meet international democratic standards; whereas the European Council, the Council of Europe, the United States and most other international institutions and governments also concluded that the elections were fundamentally flawed,

B.  whereas the unlimited use of state power and widespread detentions by the Belarusian regime during the period preceding the elections grossly violated the fundamental rights of the people of Belarus as regards freedom of assembly, association and expression,

C.  whereas the democratic opposition, despite continuing serious harassment, multiple arrests of supporters of the opposition and public threats and accusations of terrorism, still found the courage to democratically confront President Lukashenko and his regime,

D.  whereas, after the rigged elections, many thousands of Belarusians had the courage to take to the streets to protest against the electoral fraud committed by the regime, despite threats by President Lukashenko to ‘wring the necks’ of anyone who tried to seize power through popular protests after the result of the elections and hints of severe punishment for those arrested during such protests, including the death penalty,

E.  whereas the regime violently broke up public demonstrations and protests, putting many hundreds of protesters in jail – including opposition candidate Alexander Kozulin and more than 20 foreign journalists – and seriously wounding many others,

F.  whereas the European Union has continuously stressed its willingness to cooperate more closely with Belarus depending on the country’s commitment to democratisation and reform,

1.  Totally and completely rejects the circumstances in which the presidential elections were conducted, as well as the outcome of these elections as announced by the Belarusian authorities;

2.  Strongly condemns the violence and the arbitrary arrests carried out by the Belarusian regime against the thousands of people who found the courage to protest against the rigging of the presidential elections and the violation of the fundamental rights of the Belarusian people;

3.  Expresses its full solidarity with, and support for, all Belarusians who continue to strive for an independent, open and democratic Belarus based on the rule of law;

4.  Calls on the Commission and the Council and the international community as a whole to increase their support for the Belarusian people and to substantially increase pressure on the Belarusian regime to end the dictatorial oppression of its people, to release all those detained immediately and to hold new, democratic elections as soon as possible;

5.  Welcomes the decision by the European Council to take restrictive measures against those responsible for the violations of international electoral standards, including President Lukashenko; demands that a complete package of concrete and direct ‘smart’ sanctions – severely affecting the perpetrators of oppression without adding any further suffering to the citizens of Belarus – be brought forward;

6.  Stresses that such a comprehensive package of measures should include an extension and strengthening of the visa ban against senior officials of the regime, the freezing of their bank accounts and other assets, and restrictive measures against companies directly and personally linked to them;

7.  Calls, at the same time, on the Council and the Commission to continue and to intensify support for the independent media in Belarus, in particular the broadcasting of independent radio and television programmes from abroad, as well as support for independent journalists and newspapers; also calls for greater financial and organisational support for the democratic opposition, civil society and human rights organisations; finally, calls for the elimination of visa restrictions for those involved in pro-democracy activities and students;

8.  Is appalled by the positive reactions of the Russian State Duma and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to the conduct of the presidential election in Belarus and its outcome; calls on the Council and the Member States to make an unequivocal appeal to Russia to join in the efforts of the European Union and all other democratic states to establish a democratic political system in Belarus with respect for human rights and the rule of law; is of the opinion that specific efforts to this end should be made in the framework of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, as Russia – together with the Member States of the European Union – is a member of both organisations;

9.  Calls on the Member States represented in the G8 to place the current situation in Belarus on the agenda of the forthcoming summit this spring, urging Russia to reverse its position on President Lukashenko and his regime and to use its close ties with Belarus to promote democracy and political reforms in that country;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the United States and Russia, and to the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe.

• [1]  Texts Adopted, P6_TA(2006)0066.