resolution motion, 16 June 2026
On Deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, in particular the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich
Motion B-10-2026-0328 · (2026/2766(RSP))
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Łukasz Kohut, Andrzej Halicki, Michael Gahler, Ondřej Kolář, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Isabel WiselerLima, Tomas Tobé, Sandra Kalniete, Michał Szczerba, Andrey Kovatchev, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Reinhold Lopatka, Miriam Lexmann, Antonio LópezIstúriz White, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Mirosława Nykiel, Wouter Beke, Liudas Mažylis, Danuše Nerudová, Tomáš Zdechovský, Vangelis Meimarakis, Arba Kokalari, Eleonora Meleti, Davor Ivo Stier, Ana Miguel Pedro, Inese Vaidere, Loránt Vincze
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, focusing on Aliaksandra Pulinovich, and demands her immediate release and that of all political prisoners. It also calls for broader sanctions against those responsible and for accountability, including through universal jurisdiction.
Key points
- Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Aliaksandra Pulinovich and all political prisoners, including human rights defenders, journalists, and minors.
- Strongly condemns the politically motivated prosecution of Pulinovich and the use of severe charges against minors as intimidation.
- Condemns misuse of extremism and terrorism laws to criminalize peaceful expression and civic activities.
- States that partial releases do not constitute reform or justify normalizing relations with the Lukashenka regime.
- Calls on the Council to broaden and enforce targeted sanctions against officials responsible for politically motivated prosecutions.
- Calls for full accountability and for member states to apply universal jurisdiction for crimes by Lukashenka's regime.
Who is affected
- Political prisoners in Belarus, including Aliaksandra Pulinovich, human rights defenders, journalists, and minors.
- Judges, prosecutors, investigators, prison officials, and others responsible for politically motivated prosecutions face sanctions.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 19 paragraphs
B100328/2026
European Parliament resolution on Deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, in particular the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich
(2026/2766(RSP))
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Belarus,
– having regard to human rights treaties to which Belarus is a party,
– having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas, according to Human Rights Center Viasna, 869 political prisoners are currently held behind bars in Belarus, while dozens of new political prisoners continue to be added every month and are subjected to torture, inhuman and ill-treatment, prolonged isolation, denial of medical care, denial of legal assistance and restrictions on contact with their families; whereas human rights defenders, journalists and media workers remain particular targets of the regime;
whereas Aliaksandra Pulinovich, was detained in January 2024, when she was 16 years old; whereas she was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months in prison on politically motivated charges of buildings desecration and property damage, illegal actions in relation to firearms, ammunition and explosives, and attempting an act of terrorism;
whereas, during pre-trial detention, Aliaksandra Pulinovich was reportedly placed in a punishment cell several times; whereas she was later included on the regime’s so called “terrorist” and “extremist” lists;
whereas prison authorities continue to deny political prisoners access to appropriate health care;
whereas recent releases of political prisoners are welcome for those freed and their families, but do not indicate systemic change; whereas new arrests, prosecutions and convictions continue;
Read the rest (7 paragraphs)
Demands the immediate and unconditional release of Aliaksandra Pulinovich, and all political prisoners held by the Lukashenka regime, including human rights defenders, journalists, media workers, cultural figures, lawyers, students, those detained as minors and those in urgent need of medical care;
Strongly condemns the politically motivated prosecution and sentencing of Aliaksandra Pulinovich and denounces the use of severe criminal charges against minors and young people as a tool of intimidation, propaganda and repression;
Condemns the misuse of “extremism” and “terrorism” legislation to criminalize peaceful expression, civic engagement, human rights work, independent journalism, cultural activity, education and solidarity with political prisoners;
Reiterates that partial and selective releases cannot be treated as genuine reform, cannot justify the normalization of relations with the Lukashenka regime and cannot replace the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners;
Calls on the Council to broaden, strengthen and strictly enforce targeted sanctions against judges, prosecutors, investigators, prison officials, security officers, propagandists and all persons responsible for politically motivated prosecutions;
Underlines the need for full accountability for the crimes committed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka and his regime against the Belarusian people; calls on Member States to apply the principle of universal jurisdiction;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the representatives of the Belarusian democratic forces, the de facto Belarusian authorities and the UN.