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POZIRK+New Viasna report says number of political prisoners critical
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EU supports “brave people of Belarus” ahead of 2020 vote anniversary
August 8, Pozirk. The European Union (EU) “remains united in its support to the brave people of Belarus, the Belarusian democratic movement, and civil society in their quest for a free, democratic, sovereign and independent Belarus as part of a peaceful Europe.”
Josep Borrell, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, issued the statement on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Belarus’ disputed presidential election.
Once Belarus begins its democratic transition, the EU will support the stabilization of its economy and the reform of its institutions, including through the Comprehensive Plan of Economic Support of up to €3 billion, the statement said.
“We will continue to ensure that the voices of the Belarusian people are heard,” it said.
The EU noted that four years ago Belarusians took to the streets to “peacefully protest against the fraudulent presidential elections and Łukašenka’s attempt to take away their right to decide their future.”
Despite the reprisals they have faced, “the Belarusian people have repeatedly and bravely stood up for their human rights and their country’s democratic future.”
There are “around 1,400 political prisoners” in Belarus who “represent only a fraction of the thousands of individuals who have been in and out of politically motivated detention since 2020.”
“At least six political prisoners lost their lives in detention, and many have been held incommunicado for more than a year.
“Some of the detainees have life threatening conditions and require urgent medical assistance. Such treatment of prisoners and detainees is in violation of international law and Belarus’ own commitments,” the statement said, reiterating the demand to immediately free all political prisoners.
The EU noted that “Belarusian sovereignty and identity are increasingly under threat.”
In addition to organizing large-scale reprisals, the Alaksandar Łukašenka regime is also complicit in Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, has facilitated the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children and orchestrated migration pressure on the EU’s frontier, it said.
EU sanctions 28 Belarus' officials, judges, propaganda workers
August 5, Pozirk. The European Union has imposed personal sanctions against 28 Belarusian law enforcers, judges and propaganda workers, marking the fourth anniversary of the rigged 2020 presidential election in Belarus, the Council of the European Union reports. The list …
