Vladzimir Astapenka, the representative of Belarus’ democratic mission to the EU, explained on Thursday 25 September that there was no sign of improvement in his country.
Since the fraudulent presidential election in 2020, “Belarus remains at the centre of the worst crisis of insecurity and human rights violations in Europe (...). The situation is still very bleak, with no sign of improvement”, he explained at a hearing of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights.
According to him, almost a million Belarusians have left the country, tens of thousands have been arrested, there are more than 1,300 officially recognised political prisoners in the country, and more than 2,000 NGOs have been dissolved by the regime. According to Susan Bazilli, a member of the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus, some of the regime’s actions can be classified as crimes against humanity.
Belarusian human rights defender Leonid Sudalenka, forced into exile by the regime, confirmed that, despite the recently announced pardons, repression was still rife. While more than a hundred people were recently released, 283 were arrested and detained at the same time. Furthermore, the President, Alexander Lukashenko, has not taken any steps towards national reconciliation or reform, added the activist.
“Despite all this repression, Belarusians remain resilient and are still calling for a transition to democracy. The vast majority of the population rejects the war and Russian domination”, explained Mr Astapenka, adding that discussions were underway on the post-Lukashenko period.
However, even if Mr Lukashenko were to fall, the transformation of the country would take time, according to Mr Sudalenka.
“When the regime falls, freedom will not appear overnight. We want to work with you so that Belarus becomes a free country. We are at a crossroads, and we need to break away from our dependence on Russia”, the activist told MEPs.
Mr Astapenka pointed out that in May 2021 the EU had presented an economic aid plan for Belarus, should it take the road to democracy, worth up to €3 billion (see EUROPE 12729/14). Since 2020, the EU has also disbursed more than €170 million to help Belarusian civil society. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)