On 19 February, the European Council adopted its conclusions on Belarus. These conclusions identify specific issues of concern to the EU and define actions or targets to be taken. In fact, this document defines the strategy of the European Union towards our country.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, commenting on the adoption of these conclusions, said that "Belarus remains high on the EU agenda". He condemned the unprecedented repression and emphasized that those responsible would be brought to justice.
It is important to note that the repressive policy of the Lukashenko regime is primarily characterized by the widespread commission of crimes that qualify as crimes against humanity. According to the commentary of the UN International Law Commission, such crimes are a threat to international peace and security, which obliges the entire international community to take adequate measures to prevent these crimes.
In the adopted document, the European Council expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus. Moreover, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations.
Now, more than ever, it is critical to effectively apply existing international legal mechanisms to stop the killings of political prisoners in Lukashenko's prisons. Today, the death of Ihar Lednik became known - and this is the fifth known death of a political prisoner. Vitold Ashurak, Ales Pushkin, Mikalai Klimovich, Vadim Khrasko, Ihar Lednik - all these people lost their lives and were actually killed by the Lukashenko regime.
We have repeatedly conveyed to our partners our readiness to start interaction within the Consultative Group between the EU and Belarusian democratic forces and civil society to develop clear steps to bring to justice those responsible, to restore justice for the victims of crimes against humanity in Belarus, and to stop further victims among Belarusians.