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Situation in Belarus, five years after the fraudulent presidential elections

TA-10-2025-0249 · P10_TA(2025)0249 · PE778.770

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This resolution condemns repression in Belarus since the fraudulent 2020 elections, demands the release of all political prisoners, and calls for new free elections under international observation. It urges the EU to support Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, independent media, and exiles, and to impose sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations and complicity in Russia's war against Ukraine. It also condemns Belarus's role in Russia's aggression, the militarisation of children, and calls for accountability, including through the International Criminal Court.

Key points

  1. Reaffirms condemnation of repression and demands immediate release of all political prisoners, with compensation and restoration of rights.
  2. Calls for support for political prisoners and their families, including visa simplification and monitoring of trials.
  3. Does not recognise Lukashenka as legitimate president; supports democratic forces led by Tsikhanouskaya and calls for non-recognition policy.
  4. Calls for new free and fair elections under OSCE/ODIHR observation.
  5. Warns against instrumentalisation of prisoners; encourages continued work for release and expresses concern over lifting US sanctions on Belavia.
  6. Calls for continued EU support for civil society, independent media, and democratic structures, including multi-year funding.
  7. Calls for formal representation of democratic forces in international forums and for countering transnational repression.
  8. Demands end to criminalisation of journalism and release of jailed journalists.
  9. Condemns persecution of Polish minority and attacks on religious freedom.
  10. Urges commutation of death sentences and moratorium on capital punishment.
  11. Calls for accountability for human rights abuses, including support for ICC referral and ICJ proceedings.
  12. Condemns Belarus's complicity in Russia's war, including militarisation of Ukrainian children, and calls for ICC investigation.

Who is affected

  • Political prisoners in Belarus and their families, who are to be released and supported.
  • Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, independent media, and exiles, who receive EU support.
  • Journalists and media workers in Belarus, who face criminalisation and harassment.
  • Polish minority and religious communities in Belarus, who face persecution.
  • EU-based companies, which are urged to terminate relations with Belarusian suppliers using forced labour.

Figures and deadlines

  • Over 8 900 individuals have faced politically motivated charges since 2020; over 1 200 political prisoners still detained.
  • Over 175 female political prisoners face targeted abuse.
  • More than 5 800 people on the 'list of extremists'.
  • At least 1 721 convictions on political charges in 2024 alone.
  • Nearly 2 000 civil society groups shut down; 33 media representatives imprisoned.
  • More than 500 000 Belarusians have fled since 2020.
  • EU mobilised EUR 170 million since 2020 to support Belarusian civil society.