Jacek Sariusz-Wolski: Sanctions against Lukashenka cannot be lifted

The human rights situation in Belarus hasn't changed.

Polish member of the European Parliament Jacek Sariusz-Wolski spoke to Radio Svaboda about the discussion of Justas Paleckis's scandalous report. The report provoked a hot discussion and criticism.

Jacek Sariusz-Wolski was among those who spoke against certain clauses of the report.

What things do you not accept in Paleckis' report?

I disagree with two clauses. The first one is the allegation that the human rights situation in Belarus improved. The second one is that sanctions should be lifted. The report has many positive ideas, but these two elements, these principled items depart from the current course of the European Parliament. I'd like to remind that it is the 38th report on Belarus in the EP. No other countries have had such a number of reports. Justas Paleckis's report departs from the line of the European Parliament and the European Union that has a policy of imposing sanctions for non-democratic behavior of the authorities on the one hand and openness for society on the other hand.

Do you plan to propose amendment to the report?

I will insist on removing these two clauses from the report. I will propose other phrasings.

You said Paleckis was not sent to Belarus as a Special Rapporteur.

Paleckis is formally a Rapporteur on Belarus. But the visit was his own initiative. It wasn't an official visit. He wasn't delegated by the European Parliament. These are different sorts of things.

The report was prepared for the European Commission, the EU Council and the European External Action Service following Justas Paleckis's visit to Minsk on 18-21 March. The document caused a mixed reaction in Belarus. Representatives of opposition and human rights activists severely criticised the words about a discernible improvement of the human rights situation in 2012. Paleckis, in his turn, states that he made such a conclusion based on the information from Belarusian human rights activists. Later the MEP recognised that the wording about the “improvement of the human rights situation” was poor and would be changed.

The document will be open for amendments until June 5. The second hearing is scheduled for July 8. The voting will take place on July 9. The discussion of the document at a session of the European Parliament is due to take place in September 2013.

Justas Paleckis was mentioned in Lord Bell’s plan on improving the image of Lukashenka's dictatorship. The report contained the paragraph titled “Direct lobbying” about the work with certain EU’s officials and politicians.