On September 12-13, a series of events focused on Belarus were held in the European Parliament, organized by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the delegation for relations with Belarus led by MEP Juozas Olekas, and the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
On September 12, debates were held on the release of political prisoners, the European perspective for Belarus, and accountability for the regime. MEP Petras Auštrevičius presented his report and draft resolution. Members of the European Parliament emphasized the importance of supporting Belarus’ democratic forces and civil society and the threat of losing Belarus’ independence. They also highlighted the importance of visa support for Belarusians inside the country and simplifying legalization for Belarusians abroad in light of Lukashenka's recent decree.
On September 13, immediately after the annual address of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the European Parliament. In her speech, she called for support for Belarus’ European choice, spoke about political prisoners, and demonstrated the design of the new Belarusian passport. More than 500 Members of the European Parliament applauded her speech with standing ovations.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also met separately with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. They discussed formalizing relations between democratic Belarus and the European Parliament, possibly through a memorandum of cooperation, as was the case with the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada. Ms. Metsola and Ms. Tsikhanouskaya also proposed opening a Belarusian information stand and holding a meeting of Belarusian and foreign party leaders in the European Parliament building. The parties also discussed the unacceptability of the easing of sanctions, especially against the backdrop of an intensifying crackdown and deteriorating conditions in prisons.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya participated in hearings on Belarus with the five main parliamentary groups: the European People's Party, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the Greens, European Conservatives and Reformists, as well as the liberal Renew Europe group.
On September 13, a vote was held on the European Parliament resolution developed by Petras Auštrevičius, with more than 450 MEPs voting in favor. The resolution contains a number of practical recommendations for supporting democratic Belarus while recognizing the involvement of the Lukashenka regime in Russia's military aggression against Ukraine and calling for an international investigation into its crimes. The document also calls for representatives of democratic Belarus to participate in meetings of the Council of Ministers and Eastern Partnership projects.
On September 13, the Kalinowski Conference was held in the European Parliament, focusing mostly on support and release of political prisoners and European perspective for Belarus. The conference was attended by 20 Members of the European Parliament, including its Vice-President Heidi Hautala, as well as representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet, political parties, diaspora, cultural initiatives, media, and former political prisoners.
The conference also featured addresses by Representative of the United Transitional Cabinet for Social Issues Volha Harbunova, Representative for Foreign Affairs Valery Kavaleuski, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Advisor for the Constitutional Reform and Interparliamentary Cooperation Anatoli Liabedzka, activist and Maryia Kalesnikava’s sister Tatsiana Khomich, former political prisoner Leanid Sudalenka, editor of “Charter'97” Natallia Radzina, sociologist Andrei Vardamatski, Chairman of the Movement “For Freedom” Yury Hubarevich, Chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada (BSDP Hramada) Ihar Barysau, and others.
The main building of the European Parliament in Strasbourg hosted an exhibition of portraits of Belarusian political prisoners, which also featured hundreds of drawings by Belarusian artists. The exhibition was organized by the delegation for relations with Belarus in cooperation with the EP Socialists and Democrats group.
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