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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2804(RSP))

On the severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus

B-10-2024-0051

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Sergey Lagodinsky, Mārtiņš Staķis, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Virginijus Sinkevičius

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This resolution addresses the severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus, condemning their inhumane treatment and demanding their immediate release. It calls for EU support for Belarusian democratic forces, simplified visa procedures for those fleeing, and accountability for international crimes.

Key points

  1. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Maria Kalesnikava, Ihar Losik, Mikalai Statkevich, Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Ales Bialiatski, Maxim Znak and all other political prisoners.
  2. Calls on the EU and international community to redouble efforts to free Belarusian political prisoners, regretting that recent releases did not include them.
  3. Urges Belarusian authorities to ensure necessary medical treatments and access to communication with lawyers and family for all political prisoners.
  4. Reiterates non-recognition of Aleksandr Lukashenka as president and denounces repression of democratic forces, free media and civil society.
  5. Advocates for continuation and expansion of EU support for repressed democratic forces in Belarus.
  6. Calls on the Commission and Member States to simplify procedures for visas, residence permits and provisional identification documents for those fleeing Belarus for political reasons.
  7. Calls on the EU and Member States to prepare procedures for statelessness cases of Belarusians in the EU who cannot return to renew identity documents.
  8. Echoes OHCHR's recommendation for UN Member States to consider accountability through national proceedings based on extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction.
  9. Calls on the EU and Member States to support the UN Group of Independent Experts on Belarus in collecting evidence of potential international crimes.

Who is affected

  • Political prisoners in Belarus, including named individuals, who would be released and receive medical care and communication access.
  • Belarusian authorities, who are urged to ensure medical treatment and communication for prisoners.
  • Belarusians fleeing for political reasons, who would benefit from simplified visa and residence procedures.
  • Belarusians in the EU facing statelessness, who would get procedures for their situation.

Figures and deadlines

  • over 1300 political prisoners in Belarus
  • over eighteen months held incommunicado