On Thursday 11 May, the European Parliament urged the Belarusian authorities to “immediately” stop the mistreatment of former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka and other political prisoners.
Mr Babaryka, who was sentenced in July 2021 to 14 years’ imprisonment on political grounds, was hospitalised in April 2023 since signs of beatings required surgery.
In the resolution put forward by the Greens/EFA, S&D, Renew Europe, EPP and ECR groups – which they adopted with 533 votes in favour, 9 against and 27 abstentions – MEPs called on the Belarusian authorities to guarantee appropriate medical assistance to political prisoners and access to lawyers, their families, diplomats and international organisations in order that their condition could be assessed and assistance could be provided.
The European Parliament strongly condemns the “inhumane treatment” of political prisoners and their families and the continued repression of the population.
It is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all other political prisoners in Belarus, amounting to some 1,500 people.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/6un (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)