On the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family

B90129

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family

(2024/2550(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its numerous previous resolutions on Belarus since August 2020, in particular its resolution of 14 December 2023 on the unknown status of Mikalai Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members,

–having regard to the statement by the High Representative/Vice-President of 25 January 2024 on the latest wave of police searches and political detentions,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure.

whereas the Lukashenka regime launched a new wave of repression against former political prisoners remaining in Belarus as well as against relatives of political prisoners;

whereas more than 200 people were affected by raids, searches at the houses of political prisoners and arrests, among them a majority of women, wives and mothers of political prisoners including Maryna Adamovich, wife of political prisoner, former presidential candidate and 2020 Sakharov Prize laureate Mikalai Statkevich;

whereas repression against detained leaders of political parties such as Mikalai Statkevich leader of Belarusian Social Democratic Party Narodnaya Hramada, and others continues, including party members;

whereas this wave of repression is the latest escalation in the incessant repression by the Lukashenka regime against pro-democratic forces, political activists, civil society, independent media, trade unions and any voice of dissent since the stolen presidential election of 9 August 2020;

1.Urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the arrested women and other family members of current and former political prisoners and to cease any gender-based repression;

2.Urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately end the repression against the people of Belarus, to immediately and unconditionally release the more than 1.500 political prisoners and all persons arbitrarily detained, and to comply with Belarus’ international obligations, in particular regarding the respect of human rights;

3.Calls on the EU and its Member States to support the political prisoners of Belarus and their families by seizing every opportunity, to request their immediate release, by summoning the regime’s ambassadors to ask for proof of their condition and location and by granting humanitarian visas, rehabilitation and practical support through a dedicated fund, and to increase pressure on the regime through new and stronger sanctions and mirroring sanctions against Russia;

4.Calls on the authorities to stop repression ahead of the “elections” in February 2024, to ensure full respect of freedom of association and expression, and to allow all candidates to compete in free and fair democratic elections under international observation;

5.Reiterates its solidarity with the people of Belarus whose legitimate aspirations for respect of their democratic rights, fundamental freedoms and human rights deserve to be supported as actively as possible;

6.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, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and to the representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and the de facto authorities of the Republic of Belarus.