On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Belarus.
Parliament demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mikalai Statkevich and all 1500 political prisoners in Belarus.
A former presidential candidate and 2020 Sakharov Prize laureate, Mr Statkevich is serving a 14-year sentence based on politically motivated charges, with his health deteriorating due to being kept in solitary confinement.
MEPs strongly condemn unjustified and politically motivated sentences orchestrated by the regime of Belarusian dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka [Alexander Lukashenko] and insist that the country’s political prisoners must receive proper medical assistance and access to lawyers, family, diplomats and international organisations to have their status assessed.
MEPs also want the EU to increase pressure on the regime in Minsk through new sanctions and reiterate their call to prosecute those who have committed human rights violations and war crimes in Belarus.
“Had a privilege to read a letter of Marina #Statkevich , a wife of #MikalaiStatkevich from whom there is no a single message for around 310 days. #Lukashenko regime is illegitimate and criminal,” wrote MEP Petras Austrevicius.
The resolution was adopted by 489 votes in favour, 7 against with 42 abstentions.
