A year after the fraudulent elections in Belarus, the EU warned that it was considering further measures against the Lukashenko dictatorship

The European Union (EU) on Sunday warned that it could apply new measures against the Belarusian dictatorship to continue to “challenge” international standards, a year after the “fraudulent” elections, in which Alexander Lukhachenko was proclaimed the winner despite allegations of fraud by the opposition and much of the international community.

The High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union (EU), Josep Borrell said in a statement that “the EU is ready to consider further measures in light of the (Belarusian) regime’s flagrant violation of international commitments”.

The only way to end the political crisis, said the Spanish diplomat, “is through an inclusive national dialogue”.

The High Representative recalled that the On August 9, 2020, the last elections were held in the country, where the Belarusian people saw “their hopes of electing a legitimate leader for the country brutally frustrated”. “Since then, the Belarusian people have consistently and courageously defended respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. A year later, his appeal remains unanswered, ”he added.

The regime of Alexander Lukashenko launched “a well-orchestrated campaign of repression and intimidation against civil society and human rights defenders” and for destroy non-governmental organizations and independent media, with the aim of silencing all voices and suppressing civic spacehe added.

With the illegal and forced landing of Ryanair flight 4978 in Minsk on May 23 and the instrumentalization of vulnerable migrants for political purposes, in connection with the crisis with Lithuania, “The regime has defied international standards even more”Borrell noted.

For this reason, along with other partner countries, the European Union “called on the Lukashenko regime to put an end to its repressive practices”.

Borrell pointed out that It will only be possible to revoke EU sanctions “once the Belarusian authorities have fully adhered to the principles of democracy and the rule of law, respect human rights obligations and have put an end to all repression ”.

The The EU also called for the unconditional release of more than 600 political prisoners and the launch of a “serious, credible and inclusive political process” which will result in free and fair elections. under the observation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Electoral Experts Team (EEA) of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Borrell also indicated that, Once Belarus “begins a democratic transition”, the EU is committed to helping the country stabilize its economy, reform its institutions, create new jobs and improve the standard of living of the population. This could include an overall economic support plan of up to nearly $ 3.53 billion, he said.

The EU “will continue to support the Belarusian people, including providing emergency aid to victims of oppression and independent media as well as humanitarian aid to the civilian population and international efforts to hold them to account”Borrell noted.

The presidential elections of August 9, 2020 in Belarus, which gave Lukashenko a new mandate, they gave rise to several months of protests. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, obtained 80.1% of the vote, against 10.1% for the opposition Svetlana Tijanovskaya, according to the official vote issued by the authorities of the regime.

The Belarusian opposition denounced massive fraud and demanded a new election, an option that Lukashenko completely ruled out. On the contrary, the dictatorship intensified the repression and persecution against the opposition, Tijanovskaya therefore had to go into exile in Lithuania.

Several countries, including the United States, members of the European Union, the United Kingdom and Ukraine, did not recognize these elections. On the other hand, Russia, China, several nations of the post-Soviet space, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Turkey, among others, accepted the results of the vote and strongly supported the dictator.

(with information from the EFE)

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