Condemning the hijacking of the Ryanair flight and the arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich, the European Parliament, on Thursday 10 June, called for new sanctions to be adopted as soon as possible against the Belarusian regime.
The joint resolution by the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and ECR Groups, adopted by 626 votes to 16 with 36 abstentions, considers the hijacking of the flight to be a “horrendous act and a violation of international law which constitutes an act of State terrorism” and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Protasevich and his companion, as well as of all other political prisoners in Belarus.
Parliament said the EU Council should sanction “as soon as possible” the persons and entities involved in the interception and forced landing of the flight and the detention of Mr Protasevich and his companion. Such a decision could be taken in the next few days by the EU Council (see EUROPE 12736/3).
Parliament also believes that the EU Council should “swiftly” adopt and implement “substantial” economic sanctions, which should have, to the extent possible, an immediate effect on the regime, its supporters and the economic actors that support it. The institution wants these sanctions to target public or private companies controlled by the regime or closely linked to its business interests or known to have dismissed their employees who participated in strikes or demonstrations.
MEPs also call on the Commission and the Member States to refuse any financial support to the regime and, consequently, to refuse any new credit lines to Belarusian banks and to stop any investment in infrastructure projects or economic enterprises in Belarus (see EUROPE 12727/16).
EU-registered companies should stop collaborating with the Belarusian authorities by sharing their technology and know-how and refrain from further investment in the country.
MEPs also encourage the President of the European Parliament to restrict access to Parliament by staff from the Belarusian embassy in Brussels and to review communication with the embassy.
Beyond sanctions, Parliament calls on the EU and its Member States to increase direct support to the opposition, civil society, human rights defenders and independent media.
The Commission and the High Representative should organise a high-level international conference on the future of democratic Belarus, devoted to resolving the crisis, investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by the authorities against the population, and democratic transformation of the country, say MEPs.
They encourage Member States to facilitate visa and residence procedures for those fleeing Belarus for political reasons or for medical treatment as a result of the violence, and to offer them the necessary support and assistance. Parliament believes that the EU Council should also draw up a plan to facilitate attempts by Belarusians to leave the country, following the ban on Belarusian carriers from EU airports.
See the resolution: https://bit.ly/3cvJN1H (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)