European Parliament calls on Minsk to free Babaryka

May 11, BPN. The European Parliament has called on the Belarusian authorities “to immediately cease the mistreatment of [former presidential hopeful] Viktar Babaryka and other political prisoners.”

In today’s resolution, MEPs strongly condemned the “inhumane treatment of political prisoners and their families” and urged Minsk to “ensure proper medical assistance and access to lawyers, family, diplomats and international organisations so that they can assess their condition and provide aid.”

Detention conditions in Belarus amount to inhuman treatment and torture, and some political prisoners die in custody, according to the resolution.

The European Parliament reiterated “solidarity with the people of Belarus in their struggle for a free, sovereign and democratic Belarus” and condemned the government’s “involvement in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.” It also reiterated its call for the “proper enforcement of EU sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the repression in Belarus, including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, prison and penal colony officials, and regime enablers.”

The resolution received 533 votes in favor, nine against, and 27 abstentions.

Two months ago, the European Parliament condemned Minsk for human rights abuses and support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It called for more sanctions against Belarusian officials and suggested bringing them to justice.