From the correspondent in Strasbourg – Judging by the climate of brutal repression and the low profile of the four challengers “on paper” in the upcoming elections in Belarus—to be held on Sunday, January 26—Alexandr Lukashenko, who has ruled in Minsk since 1994, will triumph once again. The European Parliament wastes no time and, with a resolution adopted today (January 22) by a vast majority, calls on Brussels, member states, and the international community to “not recognize the legitimacy of the incumbent dictator.”
The nonlegislative text was approved by 567 votes in favour, 25 against, and 66 abstentions. Among those opposed were a large group of non-attached MEPs and six members of the far-right group Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN). In contrast, 23 MEPs from the Patriots (PfE) group and 21 from the European Left, including the 5 Star Movement delegation, abstained. But for the overwhelming majority of the House, the upcoming presidential election is already “a farce”, unveiled by the intensification of human rights violations against regime opponents in the run-up to the election and the presence of four “pro-forma” candidates who will challenge Lukashenko.
In addition to Vladimir Putin’s longtime ally, Oleg Gaidukevich (Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus), Alexander Khizhnyak (Republican Party of Labor and Justice), Sergei Syrankov (Communist Party of Belarus), and independent Hanna Kanapackaja will be running for the country’s leadership. With the exception of the latter, the other three are leaders of parties that publicly support the Lukashenko regime. They are the only parties pardoned by Lukashenko after the 2020 protest riots, when the Belarusian authorities arrested 65,000 people, shut down more than 1,700 civil society organizations, and banned precisely all political parties except the pro-Lukashenko ones.
MEPs have expressed grave concern about the situation of the over 1,200 political prisoners in Belarus. According to the Minsk-based human rights centre Viasna, detentions and acts of repression have multiplied in recent months: in November alone, more than 100 people were reportedly arrested on charges of extremism. But in all of 2024, Belarusian authorities have used the iron glove to stifle dissent: the number of political trials has increased by 50 per cent, with at least 5,890 cases, and 45 journalists are reported to be currently in jail.
As the election approaches, according to Viasna and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, a “repressive climate of threat, fear, pressure, and persecution” remains. The Belarusian opposition in exile, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, has already called this election a self-appointment of Lukashenko.
The text adopted today by the Strasbourg chamber calls on the EU and member countries to “continue to investigate human rights violations in the country.” MEPs also stressed Lukashenko regime’s “complicity” in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and condemned Minsk’s “deliberate subordination” to Moscow. Finally, the EU Parliament called on Brussels and international partners to “broaden and strengthen” sanctions against those responsible for the repression in Belarus.
The European sanctions, adopted progressively from 2021, have been extended until February 28, 2025. They have already targeted 287 individuals and 37 entities responsible for repression and intimidation against peaceful protesters, opposition members, and journalists, as well as irregularities committed in the election process, torture of detainees, and other human rights violations.
On the list are Lukashenko himself, his son Viktor, the national security adviser, senior Interior Ministry officials, the prosecutor general and other judiciary members, and several prominent businessmen and businesses that support the regime.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
