The European Parliament expressed solidarity with the people of Belarus, the democratic opposition and civil society, which continue to advocate for a free, sovereign and democratic Belarus. MEPs remind that the EU and the states of the Union did not recognize the results of the 2020 presidential elections due to massive falsification and do not recognize Alexander Lukashenko as president, call for further support for democratic forces and civil society, condemn the verdicts in the Avtukhovich case, demand the release of political prisoners and an end to repression.
The European Parliament also resolutely condemns the participation of Belarus in Russian aggression, the deployment of Russian troops in Belarus, and the belligerent rhetoric of the Belarusian authorities. It is emphasized that Lukashenko and persons connected with him bear equal responsibility for war crimes in Ukraine and must bear responsibility before the international tribunal and the International Criminal Court. The resolution also condemns Lukashenko's attempts to undermine Belarusian culture and russify the nation.
The MEPs also welcome the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the human rights activist Ales Beliatskyi and call for his release before the award ceremony, and express their support for the other politically imprisoned human rights activists of the "Viasna" HRC.
The European Parliament welcomes the establishment of a contact group in the Council of Europe, calls upon EU institutions and member states, international organizations to strengthen systemic cooperation with the democratic forces of Belarus.
The resolution contains appeals for assistance to Belarusians outside the country, including democratic forces and representatives of civil society, trade unions, human rights organizations, mass media. MEPs call upon the European Commission and member states to prepare procedures for consideration of the cases of Belarusians who may be deprived of Belarusian citizenship by the Belarusian authorities, as well as to provide support to those Belarusians living in the EU whose documents are expiring and who do not have the means to extend them, as they cannot return to Belarus.
The resolution must be submitted to the European Council, the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the EU member states, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the authorities of Belarus and Russia, and representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces.
