On the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family
B-9-2024-0129
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Pedro Marques, Juozas Olekas
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A motion for a resolution on the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family. Parliament urges the Belarusian authorities to release arrested women and family members of political prisoners, end repression and free more than 1.500 political prisoners.¶¶¶ It calls on the EU and its Member States to support political prisoners and their families, request their release, summon the regime's ambassadors, grant humanitarian visas and practical support through a dedicated fund, and increase pressure through new and stronger sanctions.¶ It calls on the authorities to stop repression ahead of the February 2024 elections and to allow all candidates to compete in free and fair democratic elections under international observation.¶
Key points
- Parliament urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the arrested women and other family members of current and former political prisoners and to cease any gender-based repression.¶
- It urges the Belarusian authorities to immediately end the repression against the people of Belarus, release the more than 1.500 political prisoners and all persons arbitrarily detained, and comply with Belarus' international obligations, in particular on human rights.¶
- It calls on the EU and its Member States to support the political prisoners of Belarus and their families by seizing every opportunity to request their immediate release.¶
- It calls for summoning the regime's ambassadors to ask for proof of the condition and location of political prisoners and for granting humanitarian visas, rehabilitation and practical support through a dedicated fund.
- It calls for increasing pressure on the regime through new and stronger sanctions and mirroring sanctions against Russia.
- It calls on the authorities to stop repression ahead of the "elections" in February 2024, ensure full respect of freedom of association and expression, and allow all candidates to compete in free and fair democratic elections under international observation.¶
- It reiterates its solidarity with the people of Belarus whose legitimate aspirations for respect of their democratic rights, fundamental freedoms and human rights deserve to be supported as actively as possible.¶
Who is affected
- Belarusian authorities: urged to release arrested women and family members of political prisoners, end repression, and comply with international obligations.¶¶
- EU and its Member States: called on to support political prisoners and their families, request their release, summon ambassadors, grant humanitarian visas and practical support, and increase sanctions.¶
- Political prisoners and their families in Belarus: to receive support, humanitarian visas, rehabilitation and practical support through a dedicated fund.
- People of Belarus: Parliament reiterates solidarity with their legitimate aspirations for democratic rights, fundamental freedoms and human rights.¶