6. The repression by the Lukashenka regime against the Belarusian people is so serious, widespread and systematic that it may amount to crimes against humanity and warrants full accountability under domestic and international law. In this respect, the Assembly deplores the steps taken by the regime to secure its impunity, such as the introduction of the Constitutional amendments of 2022 which give the President lifelong immunity from prosecution, and the denunciation of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which deprives individuals in Belarus of the right to lodge complaints before the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

7. The threat posed by the Lukashenka regime extends beyond the borders of Belarus: the weaponisation of migrants as a tool for hybrid war against neighbouring States, the interception and forced landing of Ryanair Flight FR4978, and the involvement in the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine are serious violations of international law, while the active support given to the forced deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children may be regarded as signs of war crimes. All this shows the extent to which the Lukashenka regime represents a threat to international peace and security.

8. Similarly, the constitutional amendments of 2022 with which Belarus relinquished its neutrality and allowed for nuclear weapons to be deployed on its territory, together with a consistent policy by the authorities to obliterate the Belarusian culture, language and identity confirm, on the one hand, the existence of a security threat to other countries and, on the other hand, the fears expressed by many Belarusians that their country’s independence and sovereignty are at risk.

9. The Assembly believes that, with a view to honouring its obligations under international law, aligning itself to Council of Europe values and preserving its sovereignty and independence, Belarus should:

9.1. immediately and unconditionally cease its support of the Russian Federation in its aggression against Ukraine, and therefore:

9.1.1. cease all support of the forced deportation and transfer of Ukrainian civilians, including children;

9.1.2. stop providing logistical or other support to Russian troops and refuse the transit of Russian troops through Belarusian territory;

9.2. refrain from threatening neighbouring countries by any means whatsoever, including through the weaponisation of migration;

9.3. accept responsibility for the interception and forced landing of Ryanair Flight FR4978 as an act of unlawful interference with civil aviation, as found by the International Civil Aviation Organization;

9.4. cease all repressive measures designed to silence dissent and ensure the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners and provide for their rehabilitation;

9.5. declare an amnesty for all those arrested on political grounds;

9.6. immediately put an end to all acts of torture or inhuman and degrading treatment, whether in public, citizens’ homes or any place of detention;

9.7. ensure the organisation of free and fair elections, together with the respect of civil and political rights and freedoms, in line with the recommendations set out in Assembly Resolution 2371 (2021) “Urgent need for electoral reform in Belarus”;

9.8. enable a peaceful transfer of power after the organisation of free and fair elections;

9.9. ensure the separation of powers, the existence of a system of checks and balances and the full independence of the judiciary;

9.10. ensure accountability under domestic law for human rights violations;

9.11. take steps to protect the Belarusian identity, culture and language, and to recognise and respect the rights of persons belonging to national minorities;

9.12. establish without delay a moratorium on the death penalty leading to its full abolition, and ensure that any remaining death sentences are commuted.

10. With a view to supporting a democratic future for Belarus, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States to:

10.1. step up support for the democratic forces and civil society of Belarus, in particular for the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet, the Coordination Council, for Belarusian civil society, and for free and independent media;

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