In Strasbourg, during a plenary session of the European Parliament, a debate was held on the need to take action in response to the ongoing repression and rigged elections in Belarus. PiS MEPs Małgorzata Gosiewska and Mariusz Kamiński spoke during the discussion.
The chair of the Delegation for Relations with Belarus (D-BY) stated that “the ‘anti-elections’ organized by the Lukashenko regime are a cynical farce aimed at consolidating his power.” “Europe cannot remain passive. We must act decisively and send a clear message: we will not tolerate a regime that tramples on human rights and fundamental democratic values,” she urged.
Małgorzata Gosiewska outlined the measures Europe could take. She pointed out that the EU cannot resort to half-measures and compromises, “and the language of dialogue with the regime should be that of an ultimatum.” “Sanctions should target key sectors of the economy that support the regime and should cover exports of fertilizers, petroleum products, and other resources,” she argued. She noted that they should also cover European companies operating in Belarus and called for cutting the regime off from international financial transactions.
“We must hang the sword of Damocles—the International Criminal Court—over Lukashenko and his inner circle,” appealed the PiS MEP. She added that what is happening in Belarus “is not only a violation of human rights, but crimes against humanity.”
“We must also support the democratic forces, who are the true representatives of the Belarusian people, because cooperation with them is not only a moral issue but also a strategic one,” the MEP explained. She added that this would demonstrate that Europe supports those who are fighting for freedom and dignity. “We must clearly distinguish between the regime and the people. Lukashenko is not Belarus, and his regime does not represent its citizens,” the Polish politician emphasized.
The MEP also stressed that Europe must be a bastion of democracy and a defender of human rights. “If we ignore the suffering of the Belarusian people, we will betray the values upon which the civilized world is built,” she said, concluding with Belarus’s patriotic national motto: “Long live Belarus!”
Mariusz Kamiński recalled that “five years ago, the Belarusian people showed their true face—the face of free people yearning for democracy and independence for their country.” He noted that although five years ago Belarusians said “no” to Lukashenko’s dictatorship at the polls, those elections “were stolen from them.” He recalled that Lukashenko’s rigging of the election results led hundreds of thousands of people to take to the streets of Minsk in protest at the time. “These protests were brutally suppressed by the regime, and Belarusian prisons filled with thousands of political prisoners, many of whom remain behind bars to this day,” the Polish politician noted. He emphasized that we must not forget Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, Andrzej Poczobut, Maria Kalesnikava, and the thousands of others who have been persecuted.
Kamiński referred to the referendum being organized by Lukashenko in a few days, following which he will announce his reelection. “This grim spectacle, which will take place on January 26 in Belarus, cannot be called an election,” stated the PiS MEP. He emphasized that words of condemnation against the regime are not enough, and that Europe cannot remain “so hopelessly helpless.” “Sanctions against Belarus must be significantly tightened,” he urged. He also noted that goods from Belarus, such as fertilizers, continue to enter the EU, which financially bolsters the brutal dictatorship. “It’s time to put an end to this!” he urged, calling for a halt to all trade with Belarus.
