MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

1.10.2008

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Janusz Onyszkiewicz and Marian Harkin
on behalf of the ALDE Group
on the situation in Belarus

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B6-0527/2008

B6‑0530/2008

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Belarus

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in placeplaceBelarus, in particular those of 21 February 2008 and 22 May 2008,

–  having regard to the Commission’s declaration of 21 November 2006 on 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 the preliminary findings, of 29 September 2008, of the OSCE election monitoring mission in placeplaceBelarus,

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

A.  whereas the 28 September parliamentary elections in Belarus fell short of OSCE standards for democratic elections and failed to secure at least a single parliamentary seat for the opposition parties,

B.  whereas the OSCE election observers stated that the signals for an improvement in democratic culture had not been implemented and that the much hoped for progress had failed to materialise,

C.  whereas the democratic opposition in placeplaceBelarus has denounced the elections as fraudulent and unfair,

1.  Deeply regrets that, once again, elections in placeplaceBelarus have failed to meet international democratic standards, resulting in a parliament without representatives of the opposition and made up entirely of supporters of the Lukashenka regime;

2.  Deeply regrets that these failed elections contradict the recent rhetoric of the Belarusian Government concerning its wish to improve relations with the European Union and strengthen democracy and respect for human rights and the rule of law in placeplaceBelarus;

3.  Points out that, while the EU has taken note of the recent release of several democratic opposition activists and harboured hope of an improvement in the organisation of the elections, the persistent failure to organise free and fair elections will be a further set-back for Belarus and will continue to affect its relations with the European Union;

4.  Recalls that on 21 November 2006 the Europe Union declared its readiness to renew its relationship with placeplaceBelarus and its people within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy as soon as the Belarusian Government demonstrates respect for democratic values and for the basic rights of the Belarusian people;

5.  Emphasises that, in order to engage in any substantial dialogue with the EU, Belarus needs to fulfil the remaining conditions laid down in the 'non-paper' entitled 'What the European Union could bring to Belarus', which include release of all political prisoners, the abolition of the death penalty, an assurance of a free media and freedom of expression, the independence of the judiciary, and respect for democratic values and the basic rights of the Belarusian people;

6.  Regrets that the failed parliamentary election of 28 September means that Belarus is still far from meeting the conditions set for improved and strengthened relations with the European Union, and calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to maintain pressure on the Belarusian authorities to respect democratic principles and the fundamental rights of their own citizens, and to be very prudent with any move which could be interpreted as a normalisation of relations, as long as tangible progress in Belarus is missing;

7.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to take further steps towards the facilitation and liberalisation of visa procedures for Belarusian citizens as this can prevent the citizens of Belarus from becoming increasingly isolated, and also calls for the lifting of the travel ban on all children travelling from Belarus who are taking part in different youth programmes within the EU;

8.  Calls for a continued visa-ban policy for key officials in the Lukashenka regime;

9.  Expects the Council and the Commission to stay in touch with the democratic opposition and to extend more support to the civil society in Belarus and, in particular, to increase financial aid to the independent media, non-governmental organisations and Belarusian students studying abroad; welcomes the financial support given by the Commission to the European Humanities University in Vilnius (Lithuania);

10.  Deplores the decision of the Belarusian authorities to repeatedly refuse entrance visas to Members of the European Parliament and national parliamentarians in the last couple of years; calls on the Belarusian authorities not to create any further obstacles preventing the European Parliament delegation for relations with Belarus from visiting the country;

11.  Expresses solidarity with the democratic opposition of placeBelarusplace and all Belarusian citizens who strive for an independent, open and democratic placeBelarus based on the rule of law;

12.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Belarusian authorities.