On the deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, in particular the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich

B100327/2026

European Parliament resolution on the deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, in particular the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich

(2026/2766(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

whereas the Lukashenka regime continues its systematic repression of political opponents, independent journalists, human rights defenders, national minorities, and civil society;

whereas at least 868 political prisoners remain in detention, many of whom endure lengthy prison sentences, like Dzianis Ivashyn, Pavel Belavus and Ihar Alinevich;

whereas political prisoners are subjected to incommunicado detention, prolonged solitary confinement, psychological pressure, denial of legal safeguards and medical care; whereas these conditions have led to deaths; whereas every such individual case shall and will be thoroughly investigated;

whereas UN experts have warned that such practices may amount to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment;

whereas Article 411 of the Criminal Code of Belarus is abused as a mechanism to extend prison sentences through fabricated disciplinary violations and has been used against political prisoners, creating a system of indefinite detention and coercion; whereas political prisoners held under Article 411 include Volha Mayorava, Alena Lazarchyk, Aliaksandr Frantskevich, Viktar Snehur and Eduard Babaryka;

whereas Aliaksandra Pulinovich was arrested at the age of 16 in connection with the so-called ‘Black Nightingales’ case involving graffiti opposing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; whereas she was subsequently sentenced to over 10 years in a penal colony;

whereas during her interrogation Aliaksandra was subjected to ill-treatment and held in prolonged solitary confinement in inhumane conditions; whereas numerous fair trial violations were reported, including denial of adequate access to legal defence and parental support;

whereas elderly and disabled political prisoners, including Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Hundar, Iryna Melkher and members of Rezanovich and Karsakou families, are subjected to inhuman detention conditions; whereas cases of Stsiapan Latypau and Viachaslau Areshka demonstrate devastating consequences of prison conditions;

whereas repression extends beyond Belarus through transnational measures; whereas political prisoners and their families are subjected to collective punishment, including threats of criminal prosecution;

whereas according to art. 12 of the ICCPR, no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter their own country;

Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Aliaksandra Pulinovich and all political prisoners and arbitrarily detained persons, restoring their full rights and granting appropriate compensation; calls for the immediate abolition of Article 411 of the Criminal Code of Belarus;

Strongly condemns the ongoing systematic repression under Lukashenka’s regime, including widespread violations of fundamental rights and freedoms; condemns all forms of collective and transnational repression;

Condemns the regime’s practice of selectively releasing political prisoners while continuing to detain their relatives and associates, using family members as de facto hostages and an intimidation tool; stresses that the release of individual political prisoners cannot obscure the continued repression of their families;

Calls for the EU and its Member States to strengthen sanctions against the individuals and entities responsible for repressions in Belarus;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, Member States, the OSCE, and the Council of Europe;