What changed

B100227/2025

B100223/2025

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

(2025/2629(RSP))

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in 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;

A. whereas the Lukashenka regime has intensified its campaign of repression against citizens who oppose the dictatorship;

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

B. whereas three Belarusian women — Viktoryia Kulsha, Volha Mayorava and Alena Hnauk remain imprisoned under inhuman conditions, including incommunicado detention, denial of access to lawyers, family, medical care, and basic humanitarian aid, facing constant psychological pressure and fabricated disciplinary charges;

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;

C. whereas the health of all three women has significantly deteriorated, while Viktoryia Kulsha is on the verge of death after multiple suicide attempts, prolonged hunger strikes and torture;

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

D. whereas on 25 March 2025 four years passed since the latest arrest of Polish-Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who has faced repeated detentions since 2011 and is currently subjected to an additional punishment;

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

E. whereas threats by Investigative Committee of Belarus indicate that the regime now seeks to export repression beyond Belarusian borders by targeting Belarusians in exile with criminal charges for their peaceful, pro-democratic actions;

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;

1. Condemns in the strongest terms the persecution of Belarusian citizens for their peaceful democratic activities abroad, which is an infringement upon the sovereignty of the countries in which these individuals now reside;

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

2. Demands the immediate and unconditional release and full rehabilitation of all political prisoners in Belarus, including Viktoryia Kulsha, Volha Mayorava, and Alena Hnauk; calls on the EU and international partners to recognize their cases as emblematic of the regime’s crimes against humanity and act urgently to protect their lives;

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.

3. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Andrzej Poczobut and urges the European Union to intensify diplomatic and legal pressure on the Belarusian regime to ensure his safety and freedom.

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.

4. Calls on the EU authorities and Member States to impose targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against all officials of the Investigative Committee of Belarus and other institutions involved in the transnational repression of Belarusian citizens.

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

5. Appeals to the International Criminal Court to expedite proceedings on crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenka regime and to issue arrest warrants for individuals whose involvement has been substantiated.

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

6. Expresses unwavering support for the Belarusian democratic community in exile, which has shown institutional resilience and effectiveness in raising international awareness and defending democratic values;

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.

7. Underlines the need to remain vigilant against potential provocations and acts of repression orchestrated by the Belarusian regime within EU borders, particularly in cooperation with Russian security services;

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

8. Urges the EU and its Member States to strengthen support for Belarusians in exile by simplifying procedures for legalization and residence within EU states, supporting independent Belarusian media and maintaining access to free information, preserving the cultural, national, and linguistic identity of the Belarusian diaspora;

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

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and the Belarusian de facto authorities.

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.