EPP resolution on Belarus

Adopted by the Political Assembly on 9th of February 2012.

«The European People's Party,

Taking into consideration its previous positions regarding the deplorable situation in Belarus;

Regretting that for the last 17 years the country has been ruled by an iron fist of the dictatorship of Lukashenko, depriving its people from the most basic human rights, democracy and the rule of law, rigging election results and eliminating all political opponents;

Considering totally inconceivable that such a country should host a major world-class sport event, as sport should translate the joy of freedom, pluralism and integrity, therefore finding completely unacceptable that Lukashenko's Belarus could host the 2014 World Ice-Hockey Championship;

Demands to the International Ice Hockey Federation meeting at its next Congress in May in Helsinki, Finland, to remove the 2014 Championship from Belarus until this country gains its freedom and dignity;

Should this obvious decision not been taken, calls on the Ice Hockey Federations of the EU Member States and all other democratic nations to boycott these games!»