Celebrating the remarkable tenacity of the Belarusians.
The Belarusian people and their representatives continue to face challenges in their struggle for democracy and freedom, five years after the fraudulent 2020 presidential election. The situation for political prisoners remains dire, with nearly 1,200 individuals still detained under harsh and inhumane conditions.
The Belarusian government's crackdown has intensified, shifting from selective targeting to broader intimidation. Prominent opposition figures, such as Maryia Kalesnikava, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms and suffer from deteriorating health conditions due to inhumane treatment.
Western efforts have sought the release of at least 1,559 political prisoners, but negotiations are complicated by Lukashenka’s strategy and lack of trust from Western leaders. Human rights organizations, including the Viasna Human Rights Center, confirm the high number of political prisoners and document ongoing repression.
However, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly does not waver in its support for the Belarusian people and their representatives. President Marcos Perestrello has stated that the Belarusian people protested a stolen election and faced brutal repression and consolidation of Alexander Lukashenka’s regime, highlighting ongoing political oppression and the plight of political prisoners.
Perestelli's declaration underscores the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's unwavering commitment to Belarus' democratic reforms. The Assembly's stance is not limited to moral support but also includes a strategic contribution to Belarus' democratic reforms. The Assembly honours the resilience and determination of the Belarusian people and their representatives in exile.
The events five years ago initiated a struggle for freedom in Belarus. The Belarusian people faced brutal repression by the Lukashenko regime after protesting against the falsification of elections. The Assembly remains steadfast in its position to support those fighting for a free Belarus.
The Assembly's stance on Belarus is strategic in its contribution to Europe's security. The Assembly continues to advocate for Belarus' future within the European family. The recent release of blogger Sergey Tikhanovsky from prison after five years is a testament to the Assembly's efforts.
The President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Marco Perstelli, emphasizes supporting democratic Belarus as a moral imperative and strategic contribution to Europe's security. The Assembly reaffirms its strong support for a free, sovereign, and democratic Belarus and calls for the immediate release of other political prisoners who remain behind bars. The Assembly's support for Belarus is a strategic move towards Europe's security.
- The recent war-and-conflicts in Belarus, stemming from the disputed 2020 presidential election, have been deeply rooted in political issues.
- The NATO Parliamentary Assembly's stance on Belarus, focusing on democracy and general news, is driven by a strategic commitment to Europe's security and the release of political prisoners.
