On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted a resolution calling the EU to reject the upcoming presidential election in Belarus, scheduled for 26 January.
MEPs condemned the ongoing and severe violations of human rights and democratic principles in Belarus, which have intensified in the lead-up to this election. They urged the EU, its member states, and the wider international community not to recognise the legitimacy of the current leader, Aliaksandr Lukashenka (Alexander Lukashenko), as president after the vote.
Having ruled Belarus ruthlessly since 1994, the MEPs noted that, unlike in 2020, this election features only pro forma candidates to challenge Lukashenka. They reiterated their stance of non-recognition of Lukashenka as president and condemned the entire Belarusian regime as illegitimate. The resolution expressed unwavering support for the Belarusian people in pursuing democracy, freedom, and human rights.
MEPs also expressed grave concern about the situation of political prisoners in Belarus. According to the Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna, there are over 1,200 political prisoners. The resolution called on the EU and its member states to continue investigating human rights abuses in Belarus and support accountability measures, including applying the “universal jurisdiction” legal principle.
Additionally, MEPs condemned the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and criticised its deliberate subordination to Russia within a so-called union state. They urged the EU and its international partners to expand and strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for repression in Belarus and the country’s participation in the war in Ukraine.
