The European Parliament condemned “in the strongest possible terms”, on Thursday 26 November, “the murder” of Belarusian activist Roman Bondarenko (see EUROPE 12601/22) calling for an “immediate, thorough, impartial and independent” investigation into his death and the deaths of several of his compatriots in connection with demonstrations.
By adopting the joint resolution of the Greens/EFA, S&D, ECR, Renew Europe and EPP groups (613 votes in favour, 41 against and 35 abstentions), the European Parliament reiterates its condemnation of the ongoing human rights violations, intimidation and disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators, which it supports.
Parliament therefore once again urges the Belarusian authorities to cease all forms of violence and to release, immediately and unconditionally, all those arbitrarily detained.
MEPs also call on the EU to support an international investigation into the crimes committed by the Lukashenko regime against the Belarusian people. This investigation should benefit from the establishment of an evidence-gathering centre and an EU working group of experts in international law.
They also call for a “credible expansion” of the EU sanctions list and a complete freeze on all transfers of EU funds to current projects controlled by the Belarusian government or state. And the European External Action Service must suspend negotiations on the priorities of the EU/Belarus partnership until free and fair presidential elections are held, adds the European Parliament. Conversely, the EU and its Member States are called upon to increase support for Belarusian civil society and independent media.
According to the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, 30,000 people were arrested following the controversial presidential elections on 9 August. In addition, the EU recognises more than 100 political prisoners, at least 500 cases of torture have been documented and at least four people have been killed. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)