The European Parliament Warns Belarusian Authorities

• 29.10.2024, 23:05

A statement has been published.

The European Parliament reaffirmed its unwavering support for the sovereignty and independence of Belarus and its full support for the democratic right of the people of Belarus to choose their representatives in free and fair elections — this is stated in a statement of the European Parliament of October 29, quoted by Deutsche Welle.

The European Parliament recalled that after the falsified 2020 elections, the situation in Belarus has significantly worsened: tens of thousands of people were arrested, there are now more than 1,300 political prisoners in the country, including opposition leaders, tens of thousands of Belarusians were forced to leave the country. The statement once again condemns the systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in Belarus.

"We stress that elections held in the current climate of fear and repression, in conditions that are contrary to all internationally recognized standards, without the possibility for Belarusians living abroad to exercise their right to vote and stand as candidates in elections, without a transparent vote counting system and without the participation of international observers, cannot be considered fair and free," the statement reads.

The European Parliament called on the regime in Belarus to fully respect human rights, the right to freedom of association, including for political parties, to put an end to all forms of repression, persecution and intimidation, and to release all political prisoners.