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

B100324/2026

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

(2026/2766(RSP))

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus,

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

whereas Aliaksandra Pulinovich is an activist, sentenced to 10 years and 3 months of prison on politically motivated charges of “buildings desecration and property damaging,” “illegal actions in relation to firearms, ammunition and explosives,” and “attempting an act of terrorism”;

whereas at the time of her detention in January 2024, Pulinovich was 16 years old; whereas during pre-trial detention, Pulinovich was allegedly subjected to ill-treatment during interrogation and was held in prolonged solitary confinement in inhumane conditions;

whereas Pulinovich faced various trial violations, including prolonged pretrial detention imposed on a minor, denial of adequate access to legal defence and parental support, public portrayal of the accused as guilty on State television prior to conviction, and closed-door court hearings;

whereas politically motivated prosecutions continue in Belarus, with over 850 political prisoners currently behind bars; whereas political prisoners are routinely denied access to appropriate health care, with many facing higher health risks due to poor prison conditions;

Whereas the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus has reported that situation of political prisoners in Belarus may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and in some cases could constitute torture;

Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Aliaksandra Pulinovich and all other political prisoners in Belarus; urges the Belarusian authorities to respect the human rights of detainees, supply information about their situation, provide necessary medical treatment and allow access for lawyers and family members; calls on the EU Delegation in Minsk to follow cases of political prisoners as closely as possible;

Calls on Member States to ensure documentation efforts for crimes committed by the Lukashenka regime are continued at UN level, including by maintaining the mandates of the UN Group of Independent Experts and UNSR on human rights in Belarus; echoes the OHCHR recommendation to further accountability through national proceedings based on accepted principles of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction;

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess a unified EU framework for compensating victims of politically motivated property confiscation by the Belarusian regime, including through legally available regime-linked assets and special duties on trade with Lukashenka’s regime;

Reiterates its call on the Commission and Member States to simplify the procedures for obtaining visas and residence permits for those fleeing Belarus for political reasons, as well as to prepare procedures for cases of statelessness of Belarusians residing in the EU whose identity documents have been invalidated or are expired;

Urges the Commission to further expand targeted sanctions against those individuals responsible for human rights abuses and the erosion of democracy and rule of law in Belarus, as well as ensure strict implementation;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, OHCHR, the representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces, and the authorities of Belarus.