Denouncing the ongoing and long-standing grave violations of human rights and democratic principles in Belarus, which have further intensified in the run-up to the so-called presidential election on 26 January, Parliament asks the EU, its member states and the international community not to recognise the legitimacy of incumbent dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka as president after the vote. With Mr Lukashenka having ruled Belarus ruthlessly since 1994, MEPs note that, unlike in 2020 there are only pro forma ‘candidates’ to challenge him in this month’s election. While reiterating their non-recognition of Mr Lukashenka as President and their position that the entire Belarusian regime is illegitimate, MEPs express their unwavering support for the Belarusian people in their pursuit of democracy, freedom and human rights.
Parliament wants to strengthen EU sanctions against Belarus
MEPs are also gravely concerned about the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, of which, according to the Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna, there are over 1200. The resolution calls on the EU and its member states to continue investigating human rights abuses in the country and to support accountability measures, including through the application of the “universal jurisdiction” legal principle. MEPs also denounce the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and condemns its deliberate subordination of Belarus to Russia in a so-called union state. They urge the EU and its international partners to broaden and strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the repression in Belarus and for Belarus’ participation in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
For all the details, the resolution will be available in full here (22.01.2025). It was adopted by 567 votes in favour, 25 against with 66 abstentions. If you want to know how each MEP voted, click here.
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