On March 6-7, the Alliance of Parliamentary Groups “For a Democratic Belarus” held a conference in Rome. It brought together MPs from 27 countries.
The conference, held in the Italian Parliament, focused on securing the release of political prisoners, supporting independent media and civil society, strengthening Belarusian national identity and culture, and addressing the challenges faced by Belarusians in exile.
At the conclusion of the conference, 30 MPs signed the Rome Declaration, outlining key positions and objectives to support democratic change in Belarus.
The declaration states:
- The ultimate goal is a democratic transition in Belarus through free and fair elections and Belarus’ integration into the European community.
- Lukashenka and his “parliament” are illegitimate. The last election that met OSCE standards took place in 1995. All subsequent “votes”, including the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, were regime-led operations designed to retain power.
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya should be recognized as the representative of the Belarusian people. Cooperation should be strengthened with the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, Belarusian democratic parties, NGOs, and independent media.
The declaration identifies five key priorities:
- Ending repression and securing the release of all political prisoners.
- Facilitating the integration of exiled Belarusians, in line with the Luxembourg Solutions adopted in June 2024.
- Holding free and fair elections in accordance with OSCE standards.
- Supporting Belarus’ independent media and civil society.
- Backing Belarusian anti-war initiatives, as the illegitimate regime has entangled Belarus in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
MPs also reaffirmed their commitment to holding members of the regime accountable for crimes against humanity and their involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
