The EU has a principled decision to introduce the fourth package of sanctions: it will be adopted between May 10 and June 17. At the EU session, the Belarusian question will be on the agenda. Work is now underway to ensure that the sanctions list is as broad as possible. Due to the continuation of violence and repressions in Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya sent a letter to EU Foreign Ministers and the Chairmen of Foreign Relations Committees of the Parliaments of the EU Member States.
The main points of this letter are quoted as follows:
1. “I urge you to promote justice by imposing targeted sanctions on a broad list of those responsible for human rights violations, as well as groups and companies supporting Lukashenka’s regime. Sanctions are one of the very few working and effective Western responses to flagrant abuses by Lukashenka’s regime. We need to act faster and braver”.
2. “We propose to hold an international high-level conference on resolving the crisis in Belarus with the participation of Belarus democratic forces, national governments, parliaments, and civil society groups from the EU, Russia, US, and UK. Representatives of Lukashenka’s regime should be invited to the conference as well. We believe that the crisis must be solved peacefully via inclusive dialogue with the people. This dialogue must lead to the new presidential elections conducted this year. Besides, it is crucial that all political prisoners and detainees should be released and rehabilitated”.
3. “I urge you to turn solidarity into commitment by announcing and publicizing a Comprehensive Plan for Belarus”.
“Many European countries stood where Belarus is standing right now. The path is hard. But it is much easier if we don’t have to walk it alone”.
