Фото: Европарламент
On June 18, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Belarusian authorities to release political prisoners, with particular attention given to Aliaksandra Pulinovich, who was convicted in the “Black Nightingales” case. The resolution was approved by 504 lawmakers, while four voted against and 55 abstained.
Aliaksandra was detained at the age of 16 in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years and three months in a medium-security penal colony.
Members of the European Parliament called for the immediate and unconditional release of Pulinovich and other political prisoners. They condemned the Belarusian authorities’ use of anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation to criminalize anti-war statements and expressions of solidarity with Ukraine, as well as to suppress peaceful dissent, including among young people.
The European Parliament condemned the mistreatment of prisoners and called on the Belarusian authorities to end torture, incommunicado detention, denial of medical care, and restrictions on access by lawyers and family members.
The resolution also called for investigations into deaths that have occurred in penal colonies.
The European Parliament stressed that the release of all political prisoners and an end to repression remain essential conditions for any meaningful political dialogue or economic cooperation with Belarus.
Members of the European Parliament also called on the European Union and international partners to intensify efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners, strengthen and strictly enforce targeted sanctions against those responsible for repression, and support international efforts to ensure accountability for crimes committed by the Lukashenka regime.