On the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members

B90115/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members

(2024/2550(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to human rights treaties to which Belarus is a party,

- having regard to Rules 144(5) and 132(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Maryna Adamovich, the wife of the Belarusian opposition leader and political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich was arrested by the Lukashenka regime on 23 January 2024;

B. whereas, according to the media and human rights defenders reports, large-scale raids, interrogations and searches of the homes of political prisoners by the regime's security apparatus led to the arrests of over 200 people;

C. whereas additional charges are brought against 20 well-known Belarusian political scientists, journalists and experts, the so-called ‘Tsikhanouskaya's analysts,’ who are charged in absentia and, if convicted, may even lose their Belarusian citizenship;

D. whereas the illegitimate Lukashenka regime continues to repress the people of Belarus and persecutes civil society representatives, human rights defenders, journalists, democratic opposition parties’ leaders, including the imprisoned United Civic Party leader Mikalai Kazlou, who faces threats of a new criminal case to be opened against him and activists and many other people for political reasons; whereas widespread criminal prosecution remains one of the most serious forms of repression;

E. whereas in Belarus representatives of democratic forces are still illegally detained and held in inhumane conditions; whereas political prisoners experience torture, isolation, are denied medical care, contact with family and a number have died in prison;

F. whereas the Lukashenka regime has repeatedly committed violations of human rights against Belarusian people, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association; whereas repression continues to affect all sections of society, from academia to the media to human rights defenders;

Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Maryna Adamovich, Mikalai Statkevich, Mikalai Kazlou and all political prisoners and their families; calls for the charges against them to be dropped, full rehabilitation and financial compensation for the damage suffered as a result of their imprisonment;

Strongly condemns the unjustified, politically motivated sentences and continued repression of Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists, clergy, political activists and their family members; reiterates its call to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity that are taking place in Belarus, under the principles of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction;

Stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and continues to support their legitimate aspirations for a democratic and European future; remains committed to working tirelessly with representatives of democratic forces, civil society and independent media for the benefit of the Belarusian people;

Calls on the entire EU and Western countries to react decisively by imposing new sanctions on the Lukashenka regime;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the authorities of the Republic of Belarus, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretary-General of the UN.