9. The Assembly is alarmed by the continued transnational repression of the Lukashenka regime, andcalls attention to the politically motivated criminal trials in absentia of 31 May 2024 against 20 scholars,political experts, journalists, experts and opposition politicians and their labelling as individuals involved inextremist activities. Among those arbitrarily detained are partners of the Council of Europe who have beenprosecuted for peacefully and bravely exercising their rights, and even for merely exercising their professionalactivities.

10. The Assembly deplores that over 1 200 political prisoners remain detained in Belarus, includingprisoners without any possibility to communicate with those outside for indefinite periods of time, and whoexperience torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, acts of physical or sexual violence, a lack of basicmedical care and privacy, a lack of a fair trial, psychological pressure and discrimination.

11. The overall policy of political repression has led to the adoption of legislation that effectively bans theregistration and operation of opposition democratic political parties and the presentation of alternativepresidential candidates. All opposition political figures are imprisoned or abroad. Three opposition candidatesfrom the 2020 presidential election remain incarcerated, while the 2022 constitutional amendments ofMr Lukashenka extended age limits and residence qualifications for presidential candidates to effectivelyprohibit any Belarusians in exile from presenting a candidacy.

12. The widespread and systematic nature of the persecution against the civilian population conducted bythe Lukashenka regime may amount to crimes against humanity, and the Assembly acknowledges thereferral, in September 2024, of the Republic of Lithuania to the Office of the Prosecutor of the InternationalCriminal Court to investigate these alleged crimes.

13. In this context where freedoms of speech, assembly and association are curtailed; opposition politicalparties are dissolved, and their leaders persecuted; the freedom of the media is not respected; where thereis no redress against these violations and no credible domestic or international election observation isallowed – it is clear that free and fair elections cannot be held.

14. The Assembly reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting the rights, freedoms, and safety ofthe Belarusian people while standing in solidarity with all those affected by the crimes of the Lukashenkaregime, and its support for the Belarusian democratic forces, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and itsstructures – the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the CoordinationCouncil, as an elected representative body of Belarusian democratic society – who are leading efforts for ademocratic future for Belarus.

15. It underlines that co-operation with representatives of Belarusian democratic forces and civil societyremains a priority for the Council of Europe, as articulated in the Reykjavik Declaration of Heads of State andGovernment of the Council of Europe in May 2023.

16. In this context, the Assembly welcomes the development of the activities of the Council of EuropeContact Group on Cooperation with Belarusian Democratic Forces and Civil Society, the establishment of anInformation Point for Belarusian People in Vilnius in November 2024, and the regular dialogue established bythe Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, including on the issue of the death penalty.

17. The Assembly recalls its own pioneering resolve set out in its Resolution 2530 (2024) “A democraticfuture for Belarus” to further promote the participation of representatives of Belarusian democratic forces in itswork. The Assembly welcomes, as a clear demonstration of this commitment, the establishment of arepresentative delegation of Belarusian democratic forces for the 2025 Session of the Assembly.

18. The Assembly reiterates its ambition to welcome a future democratic, independent, sovereign, peacefuland prosperous Belarus as a member of the Council of Europe.

19. In light of these considerations, deploring the further deterioration of human rights, rule of law, anddemocratic standards in Belarus, the Assembly:

19.1. stresses that democratic elections are not possible without respect for human rights, in particular freedom of expression, assembly and association;

19.2. considers that the so-called elections organised in Belarus on 26 January 2025 do not meet the minimum international standards for democratic elections and lack any democratic credibility;

Interpol alert systems to harass dissidents. The regime’s repression has a disproportionate impact on young people including politically motivated expulsions and arrests as well as the suppression of their rights to education, expression and participation.

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