On the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members
B-9-2024-0115
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Miriam Lexmann, Željana Zovko, David McAllister, Andrzej Halicki, Andrius Kubilius, Antonio LópezIstúriz White, Janina Ochojska, Tomáš Zdechovský, Vladimír Bilčík, Michaela Šojdrová, Luděk Niedermayer, Jiří Pospíšil, Ivan Štefanec, Liudas Mažylis
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Parliament's resolution condemns the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members, including Maryna Adamovich and over 200 others.¶¶¶ It demands the immediate release of Maryna Adamovich, Mikalai Statkevich, Mikalai Kazlou and all political prisoners, with charges dropped, rehabilitation and compensation.¶ It calls on the EU and Western countries to impose new sanctions on the Lukashenka regime and reiterates the need for accountability under extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction.¶¶ It expresses solidarity with the people of Belarus and support for their democratic and European aspirations.¶
Key points
- Notes that Maryna Adamovich, wife of opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich, was arrested on 23 January 2024.¶
- Notes that raids, interrogations and searches led to the arrests of over 200 people.¶
- Notes that 20 well-known Belarusian political scientists, journalists and experts face charges in absentia and may lose citizenship.¶
- Condemns repression of civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, opposition leaders and activists, including Mikalai Kazlou.¶¶
- Notes that political prisoners face torture, isolation, denial of medical care and contact with family, and some have died in prison.¶
- Notes repeated human rights violations, including restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.¶
- Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Maryna Adamovich, Mikalai Statkevich, Mikalai Kazlou and all political prisoners and their families.¶
- Calls for charges against them to be dropped, full rehabilitation and financial compensation for damage suffered.
- Reiterates the call for accountability and justice for victims under extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction.¶
- Stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and supports their democratic and European aspirations.¶
- Calls on the EU and Western countries to impose new sanctions on the Lukashenka regime.¶
Who is affected
- Belarusian political prisoners and their families, including Maryna Adamovich, Mikalai Statkevich and Mikalai Kazlou.¶¶
- Belarusian civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, clergy and political activists.¶¶
- The Lukashenka regime, which the resolution calls on the EU and Western countries to sanction.¶
- The people of Belarus, whom Parliament supports in their democratic and European aspirations.¶