Sittings · Document
Follow up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the situation in Belarus, five years after the fraudulent presidential elections
Resolution tabled pursuant to Rules 136(2) and (4) of the European Parliament’s Rules of procedure
References: 2025/2900(RSP) / B10-0451/2025 / P10_TA(2025)0249
Date of adoption of the resolution: 22 October 2025
Competent Parliamentary Committee: N/A
Brief analysis/assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The resolution reaffirms the European Parliament’s strong condemnation of the repressive policy of the Belarusian authorities and firm solidarity with all those who continue to work towards a democratic future for the country. It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and reiterates the call for the EU and the Member States to support political prisoners and their families. The resolution also calls on the EU and the Member States to continue investigating human rights abuses and crimes against humanity in Belarus and to support measures to hold perpetrators accountable.
The resolution calls on the EU and the Member States to continue supporting Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, students, researchers, journalists, trade union leaders, exiled professionals and others. It also calls on the EU and Member States to strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the evasion of sanctions, the undermining of democracy and human rights violations as well as for Belarus’s participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Response to the requests in the resolution and overview of the action taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
On paragraph 3 on supporting political prisoners and their families, the Commission continues to actively support victims of repression, including political prisoners and their families. The Commission welcomes the release of 123 political prisoners on 13 December 2025. Since 2020, practical and emergency assistance has been provided through the Victims Facility to over 7,500 victims of repression in the form of medical, financial, relocation, legal, rehabilitation, and psychological support. The large majority of the recently released political prisoners have received EU support via this project. The Commission’s support also extends to human rights monitoring and accountability efforts to address ongoing repressions.
Concerning paragraphs 4 and 8 on supporting the Belarusian democratic forces, the EU stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus and will continue to support the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society in their quest for freedom and democracy. The EU maintains regular and structured dialogue with the Belarusian democratic forces, including its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, through EEAS-led Consultative Group meetings organised twice a year since 2023, and the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) held annually since 2022. The fourth SOM edition took place on 8 October 2025 in Brussels with the participation of Ms. Tsikhanouskaya. The event brought representatives of EU institutions and the Member States together with representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces and civil society to provide an assessment of the evolving needs of the people of Belarus. The EU pledged to strengthen support for civil society, human rights and independent media.
On paragraph 8 on supporting civil society, journalists, students, academics and professionals, the EU has committed a total of EUR 200 million since 2020 to support the people of Belarus in the fields of human rights, civil society, independent media, education, culture, and business. The next package of assistance of EUR 30 million announced in December 2025 will strengthen support to civil society, independent media and human rights.
Promoting human rights and civic engagement is essential to long term democratisation in Belarus. The EU remains firmly committed to supporting Belarusians working for democratic change. Since 2020, the EU has mobilised EUR 67 million in support of civil society and human rights organisations. This enables civil society organisations to continue their activities building communities, promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, and engaging citizens.
The EU has also mobilised EUR 38 million to support independent media since 2020. The EU’s financial assistance is directed toward a diverse range of independent media outlets and media professionals who continue to deliver quality, objective information to citizens across the country, reaching an estimated monthly audience of 2 million people. This includes a combination of core support, project-based funding and capacity to building to help to promote a diverse and dynamic independent media eco-system.
Human capital development also remains an integral part of the EU’s support to the people of Belarus. Scholarships and mobility opportunities are available to Belarusian students, academics, and cultural professionals, helping them to pursue education and professional growth. Through the Education for Belarusians project, students and professionals have received targeted assistance to integrate into universities and job markets in the EU, as well as opportunities for personal development, networking, and community building. Our assistance also enabled the provision of technical and legal support to hundreds of Belarusian SMEs which were forced to relocate abroad. In total, EUR 65 million has been mobilised to support Belarusian students, artists and professionals since 2020.
On paragraph 9 regarding the representation of the Belarusian democratic forces in international forums, the democratic forces and Belarusian civil society play an ongoing role in the Eastern Partnership. This regional platform allows Belarusian democratic actors to engage with their counterparts in the Eastern Neighbourhood and exchange over common challenges.
On paragraphs 15 and 16 regarding supporting the investigation of human rights abuses, the EU actively leads and supports initiatives, including in international fora, that seek justice for victims of repression and human rights violations in Belarus, as well as accountability mechanisms. The International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB) plays a crucial role in collecting and preserving evidence of human rights violations committed by the Belarusian authorities and is working to ensure that perpetrators of human rights violations are held accountable for their actions. The IAPB has made 6 evidential submissions with relevant international bodies such as the International Criminal Court to achieve this aim.
As regards paragraphs 21 and 22 on sanctions, the Commission recalls that the EU has adopted restrictive measures against Belarus in response to the 2020 fraudulent elections, the repression, human rights abuses, instrumentalization of migration at the EU border, and the country’s complicity in Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, targeting a total of 314 individuals and 58 entities. The 19th package of sanctions against Russia adopted on 23 October 2025 also includes 5 new listings related to the Belarusian military-industrial complex and the Lukashenka regime.