Resolution on Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka

The European Parliament adopted by 533 votes to 9, with 27 abstentions, a resolution on Belarus: the inhumane treatment and hospitalisation of prominent opposition leader Viktar Babaryka.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.

As a reminder, in July 2021, former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka was sentenced to 14 years in prison on politically motivated charges. His lawyers and family are being denied requests for information or contact with him.

Parliament urged the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease the mistreatment of Viktar Babaryka and other political prisoners, and to ensure proper medical assistance and access to lawyers, family, diplomats and international organisations so that they can assess their condition and provide aid. It called for the immediate and unconditional release of Viktar Babaryka and his son Eduard, alongside Mariya Kalesnikava, Maksim Znak, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Pavel Seviarynets, Mikalai Statkevich, Raman Pratasevich, Andrzej Poczobut, Ales Bialiatski and all other political prisoners in Belarus.

The EU and its Member States are called on to:

- develop a targeted EU assistance programme to help victims of political repression, including by improving asylum procedures and providing temporary shelter in the EU for those seeking political refuge;

- expand and ensure the proper enforcement of EU sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the repression in Belarus, including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, prison and penal colony officials, and regime enablers;

- enforce sanctions against those responsible for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Belarus.