resolution motion, 5 February 2024
On the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members
Motion B-9-2024-0103 · (2024/2550(RSP))
on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Helmut Scholz
AI:In short
A motion for a resolution on the new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members. It condemns the repression, calls for the release of all political prisoners and urges the Belarusian authorities to respect human rights and international standards. It calls for the documentation of abuses and accountability at UN level, and for renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus. It expresses concern at the negative impact of EU sanctions on the social and economic reality of most Belarusian people.
Key points
- Notes that since 23 January 2024, more than 160 persons were arrested, questioned or had their homes searched, and that more than 1500 political prisoners are held in Belarus.
- Notes that following the 2020 presidential election and the start of the war in Ukraine, thousands have been prosecuted, and that all opposition parties were banned under the February 2023 law on political parties.
- Notes that as many as 900 NGOs were dissolved and 492 forced to shut down, and that at least an estimated 300,000 persons have left Belarus since May 2020.
- Expresses deep concern at arbitrary detention and prosecution, violence and intimidation of human rights defenders, opposition leaders, activists, trade unionists, artists and journalists.
- Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and all persons arbitrarily detained, arrested or sentenced on politically motivated grounds, and for all charges against them to be dropped.
- Condemns the new wave of repression and denounces politically motivated trials held behind closed doors and without due process, breaching the country's international obligations.
- Urges the authorities to comply with international standards on fair justice, proper medical evaluation and assistance, and access to lawyers and family for persons in jail.
- Reminds the Belarusian authorities of their obligations to respect the human rights of all Belarusian citizens, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
- Calls on the Belarusian authorities to reinstall and guarantee full democratic rights to Members and activists of political parties, trade unions and citizens movements, and to enable their participation in democratic life.
- Stresses that documentation of grave abuses and accountability efforts for international crimes must continue at UN level with a reformed and strengthened OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus.
- Calls to renew and preserve the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus to ensure continued scrutiny over ongoing human rights violations.
- Expresses concern at the negative impact of the EU's sanctions for the social and economic reality of a majority of the Belarusian people.
Who is affected
- Belarusian authorities: urged to release political prisoners, respect human rights and comply with international standards.
- Political prisoners and arbitrarily detained persons in Belarus: the resolution calls for their release and dropped charges.
- Opposition activists and their family members: the resolution addresses the new wave of arrests targeting them.
- Belarusian citizens: reminded of their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
- UN bodies: called on to continue documentation, accountability efforts and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 26 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 17 paragraphs
B90103/2024
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on The new wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members
(2024/2550(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard its Rule 144,
whereas according to the NGO Viasna, in the context of the elections of the scheduled parliamentary and municipal elections on February 25 2024, since the 23 of January 2024 a new wave of repression against ex-political prisoners and their family is occurring and more than 160 persons had been arrested, questioned or had their homes searched; whereas according to Viasna, there are currently more than 1500 political prisoners in Belarus; whereas allegations of severe restriction of rights of detainees ill-treatments and torture;
whereas following the presidential election in 2020 and the start of the war in Ukraine, the Belarusian authorities have prosecuted thousands of individuals; whereas the total ban of any opposition party in Belarus in consequence of the “law on political parties”, of February 2023
whereas according to UNHCR the crackdown on civil society organizations continues, with as many as 900 NGOs being dissolved and 492 organizations forced to shut down to avoid criminal prosecution and the situation in Belarus has forced at least an estimated 300,000 persons to leave the country since May 2020;
Expresses deep concern at reports of human rights defenders, opposition leaders, activists, trade unionists, artists and journalists continue to be subjected to arbitrary detention and prosecution, violence and intimidation; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and all persons arbitrarily detained, arrested or sentenced on politically motivated grounds, and for all charges against them to be dropped;
Condemns the new wave of repression in Belarus and denounces the fact that politically motivated trials are held behind closed doors and without due process, thereby breaching the country’s international obligations and commitments;
Urges the authorities to comply with international standards and law regarding notably fair justice, proper medical evaluation and assistance, and access to lawyers and family for the persons in jail;
Reminds the Belarusian authorities of their obligations to respect the human rights of all Belarusian citizens, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association;
Read the rest (5 paragraphs)
Calls on the Belarusian authorities to reinstall and guarantee full democratic rights to Members and activists of political parties, trade unions and citizens movements and for enabling their participation in shaping the democratic life of the Belarus society;
Stresses that the documentation of grave abuses and accountability efforts for international crimes must be continued at the UN level with a reformed and strengthened OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus;
calls to renew and preserve the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus to ensure continued scrutiny over ongoing human rights violations;
Expresses concern at the negative impact of the EU’s sanctions for the social and economic reality of a majority of the Belarusian people;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the authorities of Belarus, the EU Member States, the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the EEAS and the UN.