General documents - Statement on the so-called 2025 Presidential election in Belarus - Delegation for relations with Belarus

by MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP delegation for relations with Belarus

Brussels, 29 October 2024 - Further to the announcement of the so-called presidential election in Belarus, scheduled to take place on 26 January 2025, we reiterate our unwavering support to the sovereignty and independence of Belarus, and our full support to the democratic right of the people of Belarus to choose their representatives in free and fair elections, conducted without interference, intimidation and under the auspices of OSCE/ODIHR in full compliance with international standards.

Since the fraudulent 2020 elections, the human rights situation in Belarus has deteriorated substantially. Tens of thousands peaceful protesters have been arrested and nearly 1300 political prisoners, including opposition political figures, are still kept in Belarusian detention facilities. Tens of thousands have also been forced to leave the country. We strongly condemn the systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations committed in Belarus, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment against political prisoners, which may amount to crimes against humanity, according to the report of the UN Human Rights Commissioner.

We stress that elections held in the current atmosphere of fear and repression, and in conditions that are contrary to all internationally recognised standards, with no possibility for Belarusians living abroad to exercise their right to vote and stand as a candidate in the election, with no transparent system for counting of votes and without the participation of international observers, cannot be considered as fair and free.

We therefore urge the regime in Belarus to fully respect human rights, the right to freedom of association, including for political parties, to end all forms of repression, persecution and intimidation, and to release all political prisoners. We further reiterate our call on the regime to fully comply with the OSCE international standards of elections, as adopted by the UN Committee on Human rights, imposing an obligation on States to adopt all necessary legislative and other measures as to ensure that every citizen can enjoy the right to vote, and to be elected, as well the right to have access to public service.