Strasbourg, 16/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution submitted by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and ECR Groups adopted in plenary session in Strasbourg on Thursday 15 September, the European Parliament severely criticised the situation facing human rights and freedom of expression activists in Belarus, as witnessed by the recent arrest of Ales Bialiatski, Chair of the “Viasna” Human Rights Centre. Given the unprecedented crackdown on civil society in Belarus following the presidential elections in December 2010, MEPs believe that the criminal case against Ales Bialiatski is “politically motivated” and intended to obstruct his legitimate work as a human rights defender. In addition to ending harassment of human rights workers and releasing Bialatski, Parliament calls on the Belarus authorities to repeal the Article in national criminal law which, in contravention of international standards on freedom of assembly and of Belarus's obligations as a member of the OECD, bans the activities of unregistered public associations. MEPs stress that legal assistance between the member states of the EU and Belarus must not become an instrument of persecution and political repression. They are critical that Belarusian law and bilateral and international mechanisms have been deliberately misused and exploited by the authorities. Parliament urges Belarus to observe all the clauses of the UN declaration of human, rights defenders. Parliament also calls on the Council, the Commission and High Representative for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton to step up their pressure on the Belarusian authorities, and to further expand the visa ban and asset freeze list to include those involved in the arrest and prosecution of Ales Bialiatski. (EH./transl.rt)