English

European Parliament condemns situation in Belarus

The European Parliament denounced human rights abuses and the persecution of opposition activists in Belarus at its session that was held in Strasbourg between July 2 and 5, BelaPAN said.

In its resolution adopted at the session, the European Parliament welcomed the release of journalist Andrzej Poczobut and demanded that the Belarusian authorities drop the criminal charge against him. It also expressed fears that the Hrodna-based correspondent of the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza "may be returned to jail at any time at the full discretion of the Lukashenka regime."

The resolution expressed deep concern over the "deteriorating situation of human rights defenders in Belarus" and condemned "all threats against journalists and individuals making use of their right of freedom of expression."

The European Parliament called for an end to the prosecution of journalists, civil society activists and human rights defenders and deplored the fact that the Belarusian authorities "are making it impossible for journalists to operate, by introducing repressive laws aimed at silencing civil society activities and using the threat of criminal sanctions to intimidate human rights defenders and minority activists."

The resolution urged the Belarusian authorities to ensure respect for democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Belarus, and stressed that freedom of the media and freedom of expression are among the basic cornerstones of democracy which the Belarusian authorities have undertaken to respect.

Apart from this, the European Parliament called on Minsk to bring its laws governing freedom of association and expression into line with international standards, end the practice of censorship and self-censorship, and refrain from "further misuse of the law" such as jailing political opponents, silencing journalists, harassing independent defense lawyers and operating internet control measures.

The European Parliament condemned the transfer of imprisoned opposition politician Mikalay Statkevich into solitary confinement as an "act of repression" and called on the European Commission and the European External Action Service to intervene in the case.

It warned that the European Union's engagement with Belarus "is subject to strict conditionality and is contingent on a commitment by Belarus to respect human rights and the rule of law," as stated in the Joint Declaration of the Prague Eastern Partnership Summit of May 7, 2009, which was signed by the Belarusian government.

The resolution urged Minsk to reform electoral law and practice with consideration for recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the European Commission for Democracy through Law.

The European Parliament called on the EU member states to consider extending the list of Belarusians subject to a visa ban and asset freeze and urged the EU Council and the European Commission to step up their engagement with Belarusian civil society organizations and to promote greater people-to-people contact.

The resolution urged the foreign ministers of the EU and Eastern Partnership countries, at a meeting in Brussels later this month, to discuss the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and the case of Mr. Poczobut.