Only Systemic Democratic Changes in Belarus, Not Tactical Agreements with the Dictator, Can Ensure Peace and Stability in Europe
- Admin of the NAM
- Jan 29
- 3 min read
"Despite the efforts of the United States to release political prisoners, even more people are being recognized as new political prisoners. It looks like a conveyor belt. Literally before today's meeting, the human rights center ‘Viasna’ recognized 8 more Belarusians as political prisoners. PACE's attention to the situation in Belarus is very important for us," noted Coordination Council delegate and member of the Belarusian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Pavel Latushka during a meeting of the PACE Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy.
During the meeting of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, PACE rapporteur on Belarus Emanuelis Zingeris spoke: "Belarus is a key element of security in the region. And only an independent, democratic and free Belarus can guarantee such security. Only systemic democratic changes, not tactical agreements with the dictator, can ensure peace and stability in Europe."
In his speech, the PACE rapporteur on Belarus noted that Lukashenka's regime continues mass political repression, and since 2020, more than 8,000 people have been convicted in politically motivated criminal cases, including 1,254 people in the past year.
Emanuelis Zingeris emphasized that despite releases, the number of political prisoners in Belarus remains consistently high. As a result of negotiations with the United States, 342 hostages were released, with 189 people deported from the country, but during the same period 609 people were recognized as political prisoners in Belarus. As a result of such regime policies, more than 790,000 Belarusians – 8.7% of the country's population – have left Belarus, according to UN data.
The rapporteur on Belarus also noted that Lukashenka's regime is carrying out one of the most extensive campaigns of extraterritorial repression. Systematic campaigns are being conducted to discredit democratic institutions and actors, including the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, the Coordination Council, as well as numerous democratic initiatives and activists. Criminal cases in absentia are being opened en masse, property is being confiscated, families are being persecuted; politicians and activists are attacked and repressed even abroad.
"If Europe wants to be strong and be perceived as strong and united, it must remain true to its principles. As long as Lukashenka's regime does not stop internal repression and external aggressive policy, pressure on it should not weaken.
At the same time, it is extremely important to emphasize: Lukashenka is not Belarus.
There is a Belarusian society that, despite repression, pressure and extraterritorial persecution, continues to demonstrate its agency. It creates democratic institutions and clearly articulates its aspiration for freedom and democracy. The brightest example of such democratic practices, including in exile, is the Coordination Council," noted Emanuelis Zingeris.
"I fully support the rapporteur's statement. Lukashenka's regime does not stop repression. This is the most extensive repression in Europe in recent decades. The number of political prisoners is around 1,150 people. About 40 new people become political prisoners every month. I ask my colleagues at PACE to talk about Belarus and not forget about political prisoners," Pavel Latushka noted in his speech.
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