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

B100294/2026

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

(2026/2766(RSP))

having regard to its previous resolution on Belarus,

having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas politically motivated detentions and prosecutions continue in Belarus, with hundred people currently behind bars; whereas those targeted include activists, journalists, students, human rights defenders, independent trade unionists and ordinary citizens punished for exercising their fundamental rights;

whereas Aliaksandra Pulinovich’s case illustrates the Belarusian regime’s repression of anti-war expression and youth dissent; whereas, at the time of her detention in January 2024, she was 16 years old;

whereas UN experts raised alarm in June 2026 over her continued detention, alleged ill-treatment and denial of adequate medical care; whereas she has reportedly been placed in punishment cells and remains on the official “terrorist” and “extremist” lists, a designation used to further isolate political prisoners, including by restricting money transfers;

whereas independent trade unions have been systematically dismantled in Belarus; whereas trade union leaders, have been arrested, imprisoned, forced into exile or otherwise persecuted for defending workers’ rights, freedom of association and the right to organise, including Volha Brytsikava, Vatslau Areshka, Andrei Khanevich and Hanna Ablab;

whereas the 2023 decree denying consular services to Belarusians abroad leaves many exiled citizens without valid documents and exposes them to risks of arrest and prosecution if forced to return;

Strongly condemns the continued detention of political prisoners in Belarus and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those imprisoned or detained for exercising their human rights;

Denounces the use of anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation to criminalise anti-war expression, youth dissent, solidarity with Ukraine and peaceful opposition to the regime, such as in the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich;

Calls on Belarus to lift all arbitrary restrictions imposed on released political prisoners, including curfews, police reporting requirements and restrictions on foreign travel;

Calls on the EU and Member States to expand visas, emergency protection and temporary relocation schemes for Belarussian fleeing persecution, and to simplify access to residence permits, education, work, healthcare and banking services; recalls in this regard the case of former BKDP trade unionist President Aliaksandr Yarashuk, released in September 2025 and forcibly deported without documents;

Calls on the EU and Member States to ensure that Belarusians with expired passports who would be at risk upon return are granted alternative identification documents, lawful stay and continued access to essential rights and services;

is concerned by any transactional approach whereby the release of political prisoners is exchanged for economic concessions to the Lukashenka regime; expresses concern, in particular, over recent US sanctions relief on Belarusian potash companies and pressure to reopen export routes, despite continued repression and the regime’s reliance on potash revenues;

Reaffirms its support for the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus and the Group of Independent Experts, including their role in supporting accountability efforts;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus and the ILO.