MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender

13.9.2011

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 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock, Marek Henryk Migalski, Valdemar Tomaševski, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Ryszard Czarnecki, Michał Tomasz Kamiński, Geoffrey Van Orden, Adam Bielan, Konrad Szymański on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0496/2011

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

B7‑0497/2011

European Parliament resolution on the Belarus: arrest of Ales Bialatski, human rights defender

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus, in particular those of 12 May 2011, 10 March 2011, 20 January 2011 , 17 December 2009 and 22 May 2008,

–  having regard to the Council conclusions on Belarus adopted at the 3065th Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 31 January 2011,

–  having regard to Council Decision 2011/69/CFSP of 31 January 2011 amending Council Decision 2010/639/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against certain officials of Belarus,

–  having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas Mr Ales Bialatski, President of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" and Vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), was arrested by police officers from the Belarusian Department of Financial Investigations on August 4, 2011 and his detention was extended to two months by decision of the Prosecutor;

B. whereas Mr Bialatski is officially charged under Article 243 part 2 of the Criminal Code for concealment of profits on an extraordinary scale, and he may face up to seven years’ imprisonment, as well as confiscation of his properties, including the premises of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna";

 

C. whereas funds received from foreign organizations were used to finance activities of the Human Rights Centre "Viasna", including help and assistance for victims of the Belarusian regime's mass repressions after the presidential elections in December 2010;

 

D. whereas Mr Ales Bialatski is a well-known human rights defender in Belarus, working closely with civil society activists and victims of the Belarusian regime;

 

E. whereas the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" was denied registration in Belarus three times over the past years and was forced to open bank accounts abroad; whereas "Viasna" makes effective use of foreign financial support in its' efforts to provide legal and financial assistance to victims of human rights violations and to support their families;

 

F. whereas activists and journalists who campaigned for the release of Mr Bialatski were harassed by the authorities, and one of them, Mr Viktar Sazonau is awaiting trial;

 

G. whereas the Belarusian authorities signed the Prague Declaration of the Eastern Partnership Summit, in which they have committed themselves to "the principles of international law and to fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms"

 

1. Strongly condemns the continuous harassment and detentions of human rights defenders by President Lukashenko's regime and urges the Belarusian authorities to stop repressions targeted against civil society activists;

2. Condemns the methods used by the Belarusian police and other authorities, including harassment and threats against opposition activists' relatives, journalists, lawyers and civil society activists;

3. Calls on the Belarusian authorities for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ales Bialatski and for the withdrawal of criminal charges against him;

4. Calls on the Belarusian authorities to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international human rights instruments ratified by Belarus;

5. Calls on EU Member States to make improved human rights under the Lukashenko regime a precondition for better cooperation;

6. Welcomes the EU sanctions against representatives of the Belarusian regime adopted hitherto and calls on the EU High Representative, the Commission and the Council to consider extension of their scope;

7. Reiterates its call on the Commission to support, with all financial and political means, the efforts of Belarusian civil society, independent media (including TV Belsat, European Radio for Belarus, Radio Racja and others) and non-governmental organisations in Belarus to promote democracy and opposition to the regime;

8. Reiterates its call on EU and its Member States to increase their financial support to Belarusian civil society, independent media and NGO´s;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to the Commission, to the Council, to the Council of Europe and to the Parliament and Government of Belarus.