Resolution on the severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus

The European Parliament adopted by 549 votes to 21, with 37 abstentions, a resolution on the severe situation of political prisoners in Belarus.

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

As a reminder, since the fraudulent presidential election of 9 August 2020, the Lukashenka regime has been systematically repressing political activists, civil society, media, trade unions and any dissidents and their defenders, and has arbitrarily detained tens of thousands of people. Moreover, Parliament expressed concern about the 300 000 Belarusians who have been forced to leave Belarus since 2020 and face political persecution abroad.

The resolution demands that the Belarusian authorities:

- immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and arbitrarily detained persons;

- respect the human rights of detainees, supply information about their situation, provide necessary medical treatment and allow access for lawyers, family members and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The EU and its Member States are called on to support the political prisoners and their families and to broaden and strengthen sanctions against the individuals and entities responsible for the repression in Belarus.