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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2550(RSP))

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

B-9-2024-0126

on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Dita Charanzová, Olivier Chastel, Katalin Cseh, Bernard Guetta, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Michael Kauch, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Karen Melchior, Javier Nart, Urmas Paet, Dragoş Pîslaru, Frédérique Ries, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Ramona Strugariu, Dragoş Tudorache, Hilde Vautmans

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution condemns the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus targeting opposition activists and their family members, and urges the de facto authorities to stop all repression. It calls for the release of all political prisoners, whose number exceeds 1400, and their detained family members, and for charges against the so-called "Tsikhanouskaya's analysts" to be dropped. It says the forthcoming parliamentary and local elections lack transparency, freedom and fairness and calls on the EU, its member states and the international community not to recognise the results. It asks the HR/VP and the Council to impose additional sanctions on the regime and those responsible for human rights violations, reduce Belarus's diplomatic presence in the EU and support victims. It asks the Commission and member states to document violations, support an independent investigative mechanism, uphold the UN Special Rapporteur's mandate and support universal jurisdiction cases.

Key points

  1. Condemns the recent wave of persecution in Belarus, especially targeting women, and urges the de facto authorities to cease all repression, persecution and arbitrary detention of peaceful citizens.
  2. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, whose number exceeds 1400, and their detained family members, and restoration of their full rights.
  3. Calls for charges against the so-called "Tsikhanouskaya's analysts" to be dropped and reminds the Belarusian regime of its international obligations.
  4. Reiterates that the forthcoming parliamentary and local elections lack transparency, freedom and fairness, and calls on the EU, its member states and the international community not to recognise the results.
  5. Calls on the HR/VP and the Council to impose additional sanctions on the regime and those responsible for serious human rights violations, including high-level officials and security forces.
  6. Calls for further reducing Belarus's diplomatic presence in the EU and for continued support to regime victims.
  7. Calls on the Commission and member states to continue enabling documentation of human rights violations in Belarus.
  8. Calls for support to transform the OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus into a fully independent investigative mechanism.
  9. Calls for upholding the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus and for supporting the investigation of universal jurisdiction cases.
  10. Reiterates solidarity with the people of Belarus and support for their aspirations for a democratic and European future, and commitment to work with democratic forces, civil society and independent media.

Who is affected

  • Belarusian de facto authorities: urged to stop repression and release political prisoners.
  • Political prisoners in Belarus and their detained family members: release and restoration of rights demanded.
  • EU member states and the international community: asked not to recognise the election results.
  • HR/VP and Council: asked to impose additional sanctions and reduce Belarus's diplomatic presence.
  • Commission and member states: asked to document violations and support investigations.

Figures and deadlines

  • January 2024: KGB raids, interrogations and detentions targeting family members of political prisoners.
  • 200 detained: majority are mothers and wives of political prisoners.
  • 24 January: Investigative Committee initiated a "special procedure" against 20 political analysts, journalists and sociologists.
  • 25 February: date of parliamentary and local elections in Belarus.
  • 1400: number of political prisoners currently exceeds this figure.