Miklós Haraszti: Situation in Belarus deteriorates in all areas

The UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus spoke to the the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament.

Viasna human rights centre presents key points from Miklós Haraszti’s speech on the human rights situation in Belarus:

- Release of political prisoners is meaningless without their rehabilitation.

- Mirage of improvement of the human rights situation in Belarus.

- Deterioration in all areas: problems with the media, including new bureaucratic hurdles against online publications; public activity without permission punished everyday, with practically no activity getting permission; it is criminal not only to organise something that has not been permitted but also to participate.

- Bialiatski is a criminal by definition, remaining under the threat of criminal prosecution, as Viasna lacks official registration.

- The country is governed by presidential decrees.

- Belarus is the only country in Europe with a parliament with no opposition for nearly 20 years.

- Forced-labour-driven economy, fake stability.

- Danger of Belarus’ two-track policy; European Parliament could help tie up the two tracks.

- A measure of gradualism should be introduced into relations with Belarus.

- Lukashenka's system needs Europe now.

- Special Rapporteur’s mandate not acknowledged stubbornly; a message about lack of ability and willingness to cooperate with the international human rights system.

Ales Bialiatski, the head of Viasna human rights centre and FIDH Vice President, took part in the subcommittee meeting. He called on the EU not to lift sanctions from the Belarusian authorities.