On Thursday 24 November, MEPs encouraged the EU institutions, Member States and international organisations to strengthen systemic cooperation with Belarusian democratic representatives.
In a joint resolution adopted by a show of hands by the Greens/EFA, Renew Europe, S&D, ECR and EPP groups, the European Parliament urges the European Commission and Member States to continue to support the democratic opposition, civil society and human rights defenders, trade union representatives and independent media in Belarus and abroad “in order to prepare for the country’s future democratic transition”.
It strongly condemns the “unjustified and politically motivated” sentences given to more than 1,400 political prisoners, calling for their release, including that of Ales Bialiatski, winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.
While welcoming the Commission’s comprehensive economic support plan for a democratic Belarus, MEPs demand that these funds be made available immediately “to support the crucial work of civil society, independent media, trade unions and the Belarusian opposition in exile, as well as those fleeing the oppressive regime”.
The Parliament also calls on the EU Council and the High Representative of the Union to consider further measures beyond sanctions against the regime and to develop a coherent and comprehensive long-term approach towards Belarus.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/48o (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)