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EU’s first demand is to release political prisoners, says German human rights commissioner

The main demand of the European Union is to release all political prisoners and drop all charges against them, Markus Loning, the German federal government’s commissioner for human rights policy and humanitarian aid, told reporters in Minsk on Saturday at the end of his two-day visit to Belarus.

“This is not a condition the fulfillment of which could be of some benefit to the regime,” Mr. Loning stressed. “This is a pure demand, as there should be no country at the center of Europe where people don’t have the right to express their opinion.”

According to Mr. Loning, Europe is concerned that those detained over the December 19 post-election protest do not have access to legal counsel and nothing is known about their health condition.

Germany suggests that not only should the former sanctions against Belarusian officials be re-imposed, but that the travel ban list should be expanded to include the persons who were involved in repressive measures against opponents of the government, Mr. Loning said.

The European Union will work to ensure that Belarusian citizens are not suffered from the government’s actions, he noted. In particular, he said, the EU may simplify the procedure of issuing visas to Belarusians and give the opportunity to continue education in Europe to Belarusian university students expelled for participation in the December 19 protest.

While staying in Minsk on January 14 and 15, Mr. Loning met with officials of the Belarusian foreign ministry, representatives of civil society, and relatives of detained opponents of the regime.

“I’ve got an idea of what is going on in Belarus,” he said. “What I’ve heard has surpassed my worst expectations. All this is reminiscent of the darkest Soviet times, when secret police broke in during the night and took people from their beds, and their relatives were then unable to find out what was happening to their loved ones.”

Mr. Loning pointed out that the European Union would not have to impose sanctions if all those detained were released and a free and fair repeat election was held.