On the immediate risk of further repression by Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus – threats from the Investigative Committee

B100227/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the immediate risk of further repression by Lukashenka’s regime in Belarus – threats from the Investigative Committee

(2025/2629(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus,

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

A. whereas Belarusians celebrate the Freedom Day on 25 March to commemorate the independence declaration by the democratic Belarusian People’s Republic of 1918;

B. whereas the Lukashenka regime has been escalating its repression beyond Belarusian borders to dismantle alternative democratic political structures;

C. whereas Belarus’ Investigative Committee announced to monitor citizens’ participation in actions abroad, to prosecute all participants, including residents abroad and their conviction in absentia;

D. whereas Belarusian diaspora’s families were threatened with imprisonment and asset confiscation if participating in Freedom Day protests;

E. whereas hundreds participants in Freedom Day rallies have been identified as suspects by the Investigative Committee of Belarus;

F. whereas Lukashenka’s regime is taking advantage of many Belarusian passports expiring, forcing the diaspora to return to Belarus, facing possible imprisonment; whereas 2023, EU Member States issued around 300 000 first residence permits to Belarusians;

G. whereas Belarusian civil society and free media are severely affected by cuts in the U.S. budget;

1. Calls for the EU, its Member States and the international community to apply immediate protective measures for Belarusian citizens in EU Member States and abroad facing criminal persecution by Lukashenka’s regime, including enhanced asylum procedures, security cooperation, and legal protection against extraterritorial persecution.

2. Encourages EU Member States to extend for those Belarusian citizens whose passports are expiring the right for a legal stay by providing alternative travel documents.

3. Regrets that Belarus Freedom Day was used by the regime to “inaugurate” Lukashenka, and reiterates its non-recognition of Lukashenka.

4. Urges EU Member States not to comply with Interpol arrest warrants requesting extradition of Lukashenka's political opponents to Belarus.

5. Welcomes the Council’s sanctions on stakeholders undermining democracy and rule of law, contributing to repression and to military cooperation with Russia, such as the Central Election Commission, which issued politically motivated judgments and the President Property Management Directorate of the Belarusian Federation of Trade Unions; warns that Belarus functions as transit hub for Russia to circumvent existing sanctions; calls for stronger investigations of sanction evasion.

6. Urges the Member States to impose further sanctions equally to those imposed on Russia, particularly on the Belarusian banking system.

7. Regrets the recent U.S. negotiations with Lukashenka, which risk legitimizing his regime.

8. Urges the EU and its member states to increase financial support for independent media, human rights organizations, civil society initiatives, and institutions of Belarusian democratic forces.

9. Calls on the HRVP to use INTCEN and EDMO to counteract Belarusian intelligence operations and disinformation.

10. Emphasizes the Belarusian democratic actors’ role and unwavering support for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus as part of a peaceful Europe.

11. Calls on Lukashenka’s regime for the immediate release of all political prisoners and their rehabilitation.

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the HR/VP, the Council, the representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and the Belarusian de facto authorities.