Jacek Saryusz-Wolski: Policy of strict sanctions and demands needed towards Lukashenka

A member of the European Parliament met with former Belarusian political prisoners.

Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, a member of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, former EP Vice President and Vice President of the European People's Party, met with leader of the European Belarus civil campaign Andrei Sannikov, coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign Zmitser Bandarenka, co-director of the Belarusian House in Warsaw Uladzimir Kobets and charter97.org chief editor Natallia Radzina in the headquarters of charter97.org in Warsaw on January 8.

The difficult situation of Belarusian political prisoners, ongoing political repression, the blockage of independent websites, aid to the media and democratic opposition, the West's policy to Belarus in the new geopolitical situation were discussed during the meeting.

“The policy of the European Union towards Belarus should have two directions. It must be a policy of strict sanctions and demands, beginning with the release of political prisoners and freedom of the media and ending with free elections and other democratic standards. On the one hand, strict sanctions against the regime are needed, but on the other hand, the maximum transparency in relation to civil society is needed. What concerns the second aspect, opportunities for travelling in the European Union, student exchange programmes and contacts between organisations of civil society should be created and the independent media should be supported. We should do everything that could bring changes to Belarus,” Jacek Saryusz-Wolski told charter97.org after the meeting.

The MEP commented on the intention of the Belarusian authorities to block independent websites in Belarus. The blockage took place in late December 2014, but this year many Belarusian sites, including charter97.org, fall under “draconian” amendments to the law on the mass media.

“We will express our protest and raise this question in our resolutions. Now, after the attack on freedom of expression in Paris, it is the right moment to return to the problem of free speech, to the issue of where and on what scale it is suppressed. Free speech in Belarus is suppressed completely.

The European Union should give diplomatic and other signals. But I think it would be effective only if the signals appeared in the package of demands – the release of political prisoners, respecting free speech, etc. The EU's policy towards Belarus should depend on the implementation of these demands,” Jacek Saryusz-Wolski said.