Resolution on the unknown status of Mikola Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members

The European Parliament adopted, by 489 votes to 7, with 42 abstentions, a resolution on the unknown status of Mikola Statkevich and the recent attacks on Belarusian politicians’ and activists’ family members.

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

Former presidential candidate and 2020 Sakharov Prize laureate Mikola Statkevich has been imprisoned on politically motivated charges for 14 years. Kept in solitary confinement under maximum security, his health is deteriorating and his lawyers and family have been denied information and contact for over 300 days. Other prominent Belarusian political prisoners have also been subjected to similar isolation.

Parliament demanded the immediate, unconditional release of Mikola Statkevich and all 1 500 political prisoners. It called for the withdrawal of all charges against them, their full rehabilitation and financial compensation for the damage suffered as a result of being deprived of liberty.

The resolution insisted that the prisoners must receive proper medical assistance and access to lawyers, family, diplomats and international organisations, which can assess their condition and provide aid.

Parliament called on the EU and its Member States to support the political prisoners and their families by seizing every opportunity to demand their immediate release, summoning the regime’s remaining diplomatic representatives to ask for proof of their condition and location, granting humanitarian visas to effectively respond to the issue of statelessness, providing rehabilitation and practical and financial support, and increasing pressure on the regime through new sanctions.

Lastly, Parliament reiterated its call to prosecute and sanction all those responsible for human rights violations and war crimes under the Lukashenka regime.