On the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members
B-9-2024-0103
on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Helmut Scholz
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A motion for a resolution on the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members. It condemns the repression, calls for the release of all political prisoners and urges the Belarusian authorities to respect human rights and international standards.¶¶¶ It calls for the documentation of abuses and accountability at UN level, and for renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus.¶¶ It expresses concern at the negative impact of EU sanctions on the social and economic reality of most Belarusian people.¶
Key points
- Notes that since 23 January 2024, more than 160 persons were arrested, questioned or had their homes searched, and that more than 1500 political prisoners are held in Belarus.¶
- Notes that following the 2020 presidential election and the start of the war in Ukraine, thousands have been prosecuted, and that all opposition parties were banned under the February 2023 law on political parties.¶
- Notes that as many as 900 NGOs were dissolved and 492 forced to shut down, and that at least an estimated 300,000 persons have left Belarus since May 2020.¶
- Expresses deep concern at arbitrary detention and prosecution, violence and intimidation of human rights defenders, opposition leaders, activists, trade unionists, artists and journalists.¶
- Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and all persons arbitrarily detained, arrested or sentenced on politically motivated grounds, and for all charges against them to be dropped.
- Condemns the new wave of repression and denounces politically motivated trials held behind closed doors and without due process, breaching the country's international obligations.¶
- Urges the authorities to comply with international standards on fair justice, proper medical evaluation and assistance, and access to lawyers and family for persons in jail.¶
- Reminds the Belarusian authorities of their obligations to respect the human rights of all Belarusian citizens, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.¶
- Calls on the Belarusian authorities to reinstall and guarantee full democratic rights to Members and activists of political parties, trade unions and citizens movements, and to enable their participation in democratic life.¶
- Stresses that documentation of grave abuses and accountability efforts for international crimes must continue at UN level with a reformed and strengthened OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus.¶
- Calls to renew and preserve the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus to ensure continued scrutiny over ongoing human rights violations.¶
- Expresses concern at the negative impact of the EU's sanctions for the social and economic reality of a majority of the Belarusian people.¶
Who is affected
- Belarusian authorities: urged to release political prisoners, respect human rights and comply with international standards.¶¶¶
- Political prisoners and arbitrarily detained persons in Belarus: the resolution calls for their release and dropped charges.
- Opposition activists and their family members: the resolution addresses the new wave of arrests targeting them.¶¶
- Belarusian citizens: reminded of their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.¶
- UN bodies: called on to continue documentation, accountability efforts and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus.¶¶