Małgorzata Gosiewska: No Concessions To Lukashenka

• 8.07.2025, 19:01

Sanctions will only be lifted if the dictator frees all political prisoners.

The Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Belarus, Polish MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska, delivered a strong speech in the European Parliament. She called on Brussels not to ease pressure on Lukashenka. Charter97.org provides her speech:

“Lukashenka has released 30 hostages. Not ‘prisoners’ — hostages — who were brutally tortured and mentally and physically broken. Their appearance speaks for itself. Look at the face of Siarhei Tsikhanouski — this is not the face of a free man. His face is evidence of a crime.

But the regime keeps doing this. There have already been over 1,700 detentions in 2025. Hundreds of new hostages. Unlawful courts are bringing verdicts every day, like in the case of Viktoryia Kulsha — fifth sentence, catastrophic health condition, indefinite detention. This is not justice. This is a system of terror.

The so-called pardons are nothing but a cynical game by the regime. A smokescreen. Lukashenka is weakening — sanctions are working. That is precisely why they must not be eased now. They must be strengthened—delivered more precisely and more deeply.

The EU must speak with one voice: no concessions. No illusions. Suspension of sanctions is only possible under one condition — full and immediate release of all political prisoners, Cancellation of all politically motivated charges and a complete halt to further repression.

Every step back is a license for more crimes.

Long Live Belarus!”