Deutsche Welle: European Parliament Urged To Punish The Accomplices Of Lukashenko's Regime
- 9.07.2025, 18:54
Brussels will continue to press hard on the regime.
The situation of political prisoners in Belarus was discussed by the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and the EU Council on Tuesday, July 8, at a plenary session in Strasbourg, Deutsche Welle reported.
"We welcome with relief the release of Sergei Tikhanovski and other Belarusian political prisoners, but we know that their scarred bodies tell of the atrocities of prison repression, isolation, ill-treatment, deprivation," said Pina Picerno, a Social Democrat representative from Italy. - And we know that for every released person there are dozens locked up in inhuman conditions."
"The release of Siarhei Tihanouski and other political prisoners gives hope to everyone who believes in a democratic Belarus. But this single positive signal does not mean the end of political repression in the country," said Slovak MEP from the largest faction of the European Parliament Christian Democrats Miriam Leksmann.
"This is a signal of hope, but not the end of our fight against this regime," emphasized her fellow Austrian MEP Reinhold Lopatka.
What can the EU do?"
Euro MPs, the European Commission and the EU Council agreed: the liberations are welcome, but it's not enough. Belarus still leads the world in the number of political prisoners per capita, said German MEP Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann of the liberal party "Renewing Europe." She asked the EU not to forget the crimes of "brutal dictator" Alexander Lukashenko and to strengthen the Belarusian opposition.
Her fellow party member, Lithuanian Jalimas Deinius, called on the EU to prepare an official report on the deaths of prisoners of Lukashenko's regime. "At least seven political prisoners - Stermer, Shletgauer, Kulinich, Lednik, Hrasko, Klimovich, Pushkin and Ashurka - have died in recent years in inhumane conditions," he pointed out.
In addition, Deinyus asked his colleagues to demand that the EU punish all accomplices of Lukashenko's regime, "including 110 pseudo-deputies of the so-called House of Representatives, 68 members of the so-called Council of the Republic, more than a thousand so-called judges, prosecutors and investigators." "They are all puppets of the regime, complicit in imposing repressive legislation and destroying human lives," the parliamentarian said.
Another Lithuanian representative, Christian Democrat Rasa Jukniaviciene, said the European Union should not be afraid to defeat Vladimir Putin "and his puppet Lukashenko." "Glory to Ukraine! Zhyve Belarus!" - was how she concluded her speech.
What the European Parliament factions are proposing
Speaking on behalf of the Christian Democrats group, Polish MEP Andrzej Halicki demanded the release of Belarusian-Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut and other prisoners of Lukashenko's regime. "We will talk about it and fight loudly for their freedom," he promised. - Lukashenko is responsible for the crimes and will face the International Criminal Court. And to you, Belarusians, I want to say only one thing: we see you, we are with you."
His fellow countryman Robert Bedron, on behalf of a group of Social Democrats, remembered not only Andrzej Poczobut, but also Ales Bialiatski, Maria Kolesnikova, Igor Losik, Viktor Babariko. "A few kilometers from the EU border, the Lukashenko regime is still running the last penal colonies in Europe, torturing people, raping women in 2025," he said.
Bedron asked EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and all EU foreign ministers to show solidarity with the people of Belarus. "Until Belarus is free, Europe will not be free," the Pole concluded.
The European Conservatives and Reformists, a right-conservative group in the European Parliament, is asking the EU and its countries to hold Lukashenko's regime accountable for its crimes, Pole Adam Belan said on its behalf. "The release of a few people should not distract us from the ongoing suffering of many. There can be no normalization without genuine democratic reforms and the unconditional release of all political prisoners," he stressed.
Austrian Helmut Brandstetter, speaking on behalf of the group Renewing Europe, agreed that the European Union should continue to put pressure on Lukashenko. He also called for support for independent Belarusian media to increase access to information for the people of Belarus.
Representing the Greens faction, German MP Sergei Lagodinsky warned against perceiving the release of Tikhanovsky and other prisoners as an act of mercy on the part of the ruler of Belarus. "This is Lukashenko's cold-blooded strategic calculation. Let's not be fooled by what he is playing out here. This is not a real reform, it's a manipulation," said the MEP.
He also believes that a genuine reform would be the unconditional release of all political prisoners, as well as the regular issuance of passports to Belarusians in Europe. Until that happens, EU countries should issue new passports to Belarusians, Lagodinsky said.
The EU should not even consider easing measures against the dictatorial regime in Belarus until all political prisoners are released, Danish Per Clausen said on behalf of the Left Group.
The far-right groups of the European Parliament were absent from the discussion on Belarus.
Brussels is ready to help Belarusians and put pressure on the regime
The European Union will continue to support the Belarusian civil society, independent media and "all those who work to create a peaceful and democratic future for Belarus," assured on behalf of the EU Council Marie Bjerre from Denmark: this country has taken over the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2025. On behalf of the entire bloc, she called on Minsk to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Policy Marta Kos said that true progress in Belarus will be measured not only by pardons, but also by the complete dismantling of the system of repression.
"If Belarus intends to demonstrate real and lasting change, it must, first, immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, second, repeal repressive laws, especially the so-called extremism provisions, and stop politically motivated prosecutions and new arbitrary arrests. Third, guarantee a fair trial, transparency of the process and respect for the fundamental rights of every detainee," she listed, adding that Lukashenko's regime should also stop complicity with Russia in the war against Ukraine.
The European Commission spokeswoman promised that the EU would continue to strongly press Lukashenko's regime and demand justice for the crimes committed. According to her, the EU will continue to show solidarity with the Belarusian society, including hosting Belarusian citizens, especially young people and students: more than 400,000 refugees from Lukashenko's regime are already living in the EU.
"Let's continue to advocate for freedom, justice and the rule of law in Belarus until every single political prisoner is released," urged MEPs Marta Kos.