2009/2790(RSP) | [ParlTrack]

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2009/2790(RSP) Resolution on Belarus

Progress: Procedure completed

Legal Basis:

RoP 132-p2

Subjects

6.10.04 Third-country political situation, local and regional conflicts

Events

2009/12/17

EP - Results of vote in Parliament

Documents

Results of vote in Parliament

2009/12/17

EP - Decision by Parliament

Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Belarus.

The resolution had been tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR and EFD groups.

Parliament supports the Council's decision to extend the restrictive measures against certain Belarusian officials but at the same time to further suspend the application of the travel restrictions until October 2010. Parliament stresses that the increased political dialogue and the establishment of the Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Belarus must lead to concrete results and substantial progress in the fields of democratic reforms and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Members welcome the constructive and active participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership. They note that new impetus should be given to mutually fruitful dialogue between Belarus and the EU through interparliamentary cooperation within Euronest and that Belarus will be invited to participate fully and on an equal basis in the Euronest Assembly - the parliamentary dimension of the Eastern Partnership - as soon as free and fair elections to the Belarusian Parliament take place. Until then interim provisions should be applied.

Parliament calls on the Commission to draft a proposal on a joint interim plan for Belarus setting priorities for reforms inspired by the action plans developed in the framework of the ENP in order to revitalise the suspended ratification procedure for the EU-Belarus Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) It takes the view that the PCA, which has been frozen since 1997, should be reactivated once all the political reforms have been completed and implemented.

The resolution goes on to insist that clear and significant progress towards democratisation is expected within the next year in order for the sanctions to be completely lifted. It sets out a list of conditions that must be fulfilled for full re-engagement with Belarus. These conditions include ensuring respect for freedom of expression by reforming the Media Law, allowing the registration of all political parties and civil society organisations, safeguarding freedom of religion for religious denominations other than the Orthodox Church, in particular letting New Life Church operate freely, and creating favourable conditions for the operation of NGOs and independent media.

Parliament notes with regret that, after initial positive steps undertaken by the Belarus Government, no further essential progress has been made in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It recalls in this respect the continued repression of political opponents and the refusal to register political parties (Belarusian Christian Democracy), NGOs ('Viasna') and independent media (TV Belsat). Members call on the Commission and the governments of the Member States to grant financial support to TV Belsat and to urge the Belarusian Government officially to register Belsat in Belarus. They ask the Belarusian Government, as a sign of goodwill and positive change, to enable the Belarusian European Humanities University (EHU) in exile in Vilnius (Lithuania) to return legally to Belarus on the basis of genuine guarantees that it will be able to operate freely and re-establish itself under suitable conditions for its future development in Minsk, in particular by allowing it to re-establish its library in Minsk.

Members also call on the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of national minorities in accordance with the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of 1995. It urges the Belarusian authorities to recognise the Union of Poles in Belarus.

The resolution calls on the Commission to prepare recommendations for the possible adoption of directives on visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Belarus once the relevant conditions have been met. Parliament believes that such action is crucial to achieving the main goals of EU policy towards Belarus, namely enhancing people-to-people contact, making Belarus part of European and regional processes and rendering the democratisation process in the country irreversible. It urges the Council and the Commission, in this context, to consider the scope for reducing the cost of visas for Belarusian citizens entering the Schengen Area and simplifying the procedure for obtaining visas. The long-term objective is visa-free travel between the EU and Belarus. Parliament urges the Belarusian authorities to sign the visa-free travel agreement for border zone inhabitants with neighbouring EU countries.

Parliament goes on to call on the Government of Belarus immediately to establish a moratorium on all death sentences and executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty (as provided for by UN General Assembly Resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007), to commute without delay the sentences of all prisoners currently on death row to terms of imprisonment, to bring domestic legislation into line with the country's obligations under international human rights treaties and to ensure that the internationally recognised standards for fair trials are rigorously respected.

Lastly, Parliament calls on the Commission to make full use of the possibilities to support civil society and democratic developments in Belarus via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and stresses at the same time that support for democratic opposition must be an integral part of the gradual re-engagement process with Belarus.

Documents

T7-0117/2009

2009/12/17

EP - End of procedure in Parliament

2009/12/16

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0248/2009

2009/12/16

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0250/2009

2009/12/16

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0251/2009

2009/12/16

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0253/2009

2009/12/16

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0254/2009

2009/12/16

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0256/2009

2009/12/16

Joint motion for resolution

Documents

RC-B7-0248/2009

2009/12/16

EP - Debate in Parliament

Documents

Debate in Parliament

Documents

Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
Decision by Parliament: T7-0117/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0248/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0250/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0251/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0253/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0254/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0256/2009
Joint motion for resolution: RC-B7-0248/2009
Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
Motion for a resolution: B7-0248/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0250/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0251/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0253/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0254/2009
Motion for a resolution: B7-0256/2009
Joint motion for resolution: RC-B7-0248/2009

Activities

Edward MCMILLAN-SCOTT
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Jacek PROTASIEWICZ
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (vote)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Bas BELDER
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Ivars GODMANIS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Kinga GÖNCZ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Filip KACZMAREK
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Paweł Robert KOWAL
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Jiří MAŠTÁLKA
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Andreas MÖLZER
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Justas Vincas PALECKIS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Fiorello PROVERA
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Paul RÜBIG
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Werner SCHULZ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Marek SIWIEC
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Bogusław SONIK
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Peter ŠŤASTNÝ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Konrad SZYMAŃSKI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)
Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Belarus (debate)

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2021-12-18Show (12) Changes | Timetravel

docs/0/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0248_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0248_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0250_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0250_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0251_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0251_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0253_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0253_EN.html
docs/4/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0254_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0254_EN.html
docs/5/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0256_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0256_EN.html
docs/6/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-7-2009-0248_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-7-2009-0248_EN.html
events/0/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20091216&type=CRE New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EN&reference=20091216&type=CRE
events/2	date 2009-12-17T00:00:00 type Decision by Parliament body EP docs url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2009-0117_EN.html title: T7-0117/2009 summary The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Belarus. The resolution had been tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR and EFD groups. Parliament supports the Council's decision to extend the restrictive measures against certain Belarusian officials but at the same time to further suspend the application of the travel restrictions until October 2010. Parliament stresses that the increased political dialogue and the establishment of the Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Belarus must lead to concrete results and substantial progress in the fields of democratic reforms and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Members welcome the constructive and active participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership. They note that new impetus should be given to mutually fruitful dialogue between Belarus and the EU through interparliamentary cooperation within Euronest and that Belarus will be invited to participate fully and on an equal basis in the Euronest Assembly - the parliamentary dimension of the Eastern Partnership - as soon as free and fair elections to the Belarusian Parliament take place. Until then interim provisions should be applied. Parliament calls on the Commission to draft a proposal on a joint interim plan for Belarus setting priorities for reforms inspired by the action plans developed in the framework of the ENP in order to revitalise the suspended ratification procedure for the EU-Belarus Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) It takes the view that the PCA, which has been frozen since 1997, should be reactivated once all the political reforms have been completed and implemented. The resolution goes on to insist that clear and significant progress towards democratisation is expected within the next year in order for the sanctions to be completely lifted. It sets out a list of conditions that must be fulfilled for full re-engagement with Belarus. These conditions include ensuring respect for freedom of expression by reforming the Media Law, allowing the registration of all political parties and civil society organisations, safeguarding freedom of religion for religious denominations other than the Orthodox Church, in particular letting New Life Church operate freely, and creating favourable conditions for the operation of NGOs and independent media. Parliament notes with regret that, after initial positive steps undertaken by the Belarus Government, no further essential progress has been made in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It recalls in this respect the continued repression of political opponents and the refusal to register political parties (Belarusian Christian Democracy), NGOs ('Viasna') and independent media (TV Belsat). Members call on the Commission and the governments of the Member States to grant financial support to TV Belsat and to urge the Belarusian Government officially to register Belsat in Belarus. They ask the Belarusian Government, as a sign of goodwill and positive change, to enable the Belarusian European Humanities University (EHU) in exile in Vilnius (Lithuania) to return legally to Belarus on the basis of genuine guarantees that it will be able to operate freely and re-establish itself under suitable conditions for its future development in Minsk, in particular by allowing it to re-establish its library in Minsk. Members also call on the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of national minorities in accordance with the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of 1995. It urges the Belarusian authorities to recognise the Union of Poles in Belarus. The resolution calls on the Commission to prepare recommendations for the possible adoption of directives on visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Belarus once the relevant conditions have been met. Parliament believes that such action is crucial to achieving the main goals of EU policy towards Belarus, namely enhancing people-to-people contact, making Belarus part of European and regional processes and rendering the democratisation process in the country irreversible. It urges the Council and the Commission, in this context, to consider the scope for reducing the cost of visas for Belarusian citizens entering the Schengen Area and simplifying the procedure for obtaining visas. The long-term objective is visa-free travel between the EU and Belarus. Parliament urges the Belarusian authorities to sign the visa-free travel agreement for border zone inhabitants with neighbouring EU countries. Parliament goes on to call on the Government of Belarus immediately to establish a moratorium on all death sentences and executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty (as provided for by UN General Assembly Resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007), to commute without delay the sentences of all prisoners currently on death row to terms of imprisonment, to bring domestic legislation into line with the country's obligations under international human rights treaties and to ensure that the internationally recognised standards for fair trials are rigorously respected. Lastly, Parliament calls on the Commission to make full use of the possibilities to support civil society and democratic developments in Belarus via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and stresses at the same time that support for democratic opposition must be an integral part of the gradual re-engagement process with Belarus.
events/2	date 2009-12-17T00:00:00 type Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body EP docs url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2009-0117_EN.html title: T7-0117/2009 summary The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Belarus. The resolution had been tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR and EFD groups. Parliament supports the Council's decision to extend the restrictive measures against certain Belarusian officials but at the same time to further suspend the application of the travel restrictions until October 2010. Parliament stresses that the increased political dialogue and the establishment of the Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Belarus must lead to concrete results and substantial progress in the fields of democratic reforms and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Members welcome the constructive and active participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership. They note that new impetus should be given to mutually fruitful dialogue between Belarus and the EU through interparliamentary cooperation within Euronest and that Belarus will be invited to participate fully and on an equal basis in the Euronest Assembly - the parliamentary dimension of the Eastern Partnership - as soon as free and fair elections to the Belarusian Parliament take place. Until then interim provisions should be applied. Parliament calls on the Commission to draft a proposal on a joint interim plan for Belarus setting priorities for reforms inspired by the action plans developed in the framework of the ENP in order to revitalise the suspended ratification procedure for the EU-Belarus Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) It takes the view that the PCA, which has been frozen since 1997, should be reactivated once all the political reforms have been completed and implemented. The resolution goes on to insist that clear and significant progress towards democratisation is expected within the next year in order for the sanctions to be completely lifted. It sets out a list of conditions that must be fulfilled for full re-engagement with Belarus. These conditions include ensuring respect for freedom of expression by reforming the Media Law, allowing the registration of all political parties and civil society organisations, safeguarding freedom of religion for religious denominations other than the Orthodox Church, in particular letting New Life Church operate freely, and creating favourable conditions for the operation of NGOs and independent media. Parliament notes with regret that, after initial positive steps undertaken by the Belarus Government, no further essential progress has been made in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It recalls in this respect the continued repression of political opponents and the refusal to register political parties (Belarusian Christian Democracy), NGOs ('Viasna') and independent media (TV Belsat). Members call on the Commission and the governments of the Member States to grant financial support to TV Belsat and to urge the Belarusian Government officially to register Belsat in Belarus. They ask the Belarusian Government, as a sign of goodwill and positive change, to enable the Belarusian European Humanities University (EHU) in exile in Vilnius (Lithuania) to return legally to Belarus on the basis of genuine guarantees that it will be able to operate freely and re-establish itself under suitable conditions for its future development in Minsk, in particular by allowing it to re-establish its library in Minsk. Members also call on the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of national minorities in accordance with the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of 1995. It urges the Belarusian authorities to recognise the Union of Poles in Belarus. The resolution calls on the Commission to prepare recommendations for the possible adoption of directives on visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Belarus once the relevant conditions have been met. Parliament believes that such action is crucial to achieving the main goals of EU policy towards Belarus, namely enhancing people-to-people contact, making Belarus part of European and regional processes and rendering the democratisation process in the country irreversible. It urges the Council and the Commission, in this context, to consider the scope for reducing the cost of visas for Belarusian citizens entering the Schengen Area and simplifying the procedure for obtaining visas. The long-term objective is visa-free travel between the EU and Belarus. Parliament urges the Belarusian authorities to sign the visa-free travel agreement for border zone inhabitants with neighbouring EU countries. Parliament goes on to call on the Government of Belarus immediately to establish a moratorium on all death sentences and executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty (as provided for by UN General Assembly Resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007), to commute without delay the sentences of all prisoners currently on death row to terms of imprisonment, to bring domestic legislation into line with the country's obligations under international human rights treaties and to ensure that the internationally recognised standards for fair trials are rigorously respected. Lastly, Parliament calls on the Commission to make full use of the possibilities to support civil society and democratic developments in Belarus via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and stresses at the same time that support for democratic opposition must be an integral part of the gradual re-engagement process with Belarus.
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure EP 132-p2
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure EP 123-p2

2020-01-19Show (8) Changes | Timetravel

docs/0/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-248&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0248_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-250&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0250_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-251&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0251_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-253&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0253_EN.html
docs/4/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-254&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0254_EN.html
docs/5/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-256&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2009-0256_EN.html
docs/6/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P7-RC-2009-248&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-7-2009-0248_EN.html
events/2/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2009-117 New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2009-0117_EN.html

2019-07-06Show (10) Changes | Timetravel

activities	date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20091216&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=17842&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2009-117 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0117/2009 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees
docs	date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-248&language=EN title: B7-0248/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-250&language=EN title: B7-0250/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-251&language=EN title: B7-0251/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-253&language=EN title: B7-0253/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-254&language=EN title: B7-0254/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2009-256&language=EN title: B7-0256/2009 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P7-RC-2009-248&language=EN title: RC-B7-0248/2009 type: Joint motion for resolution
events	date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20091216&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=17842&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2009-117 title: T7-0117/2009 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Belarus. The resolution had been tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR and EFD groups. Parliament supports the Council's decision to extend the restrictive measures against certain Belarusian officials but at the same time to further suspend the application of the travel restrictions until October 2010. Parliament stresses that the increased political dialogue and the establishment of the Human Rights Dialogue between the EU and Belarus must lead to concrete results and substantial progress in the fields of democratic reforms and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Members welcome the constructive and active participation of Belarus in the Eastern Partnership. They note that new impetus should be given to mutually fruitful dialogue between Belarus and the EU through interparliamentary cooperation within Euronest and that Belarus will be invited to participate fully and on an equal basis in the Euronest Assembly - the parliamentary dimension of the Eastern Partnership - as soon as free and fair elections to the Belarusian Parliament take place. Until then interim provisions should be applied. Parliament calls on the Commission to draft a proposal on a joint interim plan for Belarus setting priorities for reforms inspired by the action plans developed in the framework of the ENP in order to revitalise the suspended ratification procedure for the EU-Belarus Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) It takes the view that the PCA, which has been frozen since 1997, should be reactivated once all the political reforms have been completed and implemented. The resolution goes on to insist that clear and significant progress towards democratisation is expected within the next year in order for the sanctions to be completely lifted. It sets out a list of conditions that must be fulfilled for full re-engagement with Belarus. These conditions include ensuring respect for freedom of expression by reforming the Media Law, allowing the registration of all political parties and civil society organisations, safeguarding freedom of religion for religious denominations other than the Orthodox Church, in particular letting New Life Church operate freely, and creating favourable conditions for the operation of NGOs and independent media. Parliament notes with regret that, after initial positive steps undertaken by the Belarus Government, no further essential progress has been made in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It recalls in this respect the continued repression of political opponents and the refusal to register political parties (Belarusian Christian Democracy), NGOs ('Viasna') and independent media (TV Belsat). Members call on the Commission and the governments of the Member States to grant financial support to TV Belsat and to urge the Belarusian Government officially to register Belsat in Belarus. They ask the Belarusian Government, as a sign of goodwill and positive change, to enable the Belarusian European Humanities University (EHU) in exile in Vilnius (Lithuania) to return legally to Belarus on the basis of genuine guarantees that it will be able to operate freely and re-establish itself under suitable conditions for its future development in Minsk, in particular by allowing it to re-establish its library in Minsk. Members also call on the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of national minorities in accordance with the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of 1995. It urges the Belarusian authorities to recognise the Union of Poles in Belarus. The resolution calls on the Commission to prepare recommendations for the possible adoption of directives on visa facilitation and readmission agreements with Belarus once the relevant conditions have been met. Parliament believes that such action is crucial to achieving the main goals of EU policy towards Belarus, namely enhancing people-to-people contact, making Belarus part of European and regional processes and rendering the democratisation process in the country irreversible. It urges the Council and the Commission, in this context, to consider the scope for reducing the cost of visas for Belarusian citizens entering the Schengen Area and simplifying the procedure for obtaining visas. The long-term objective is visa-free travel between the EU and Belarus. Parliament urges the Belarusian authorities to sign the visa-free travel agreement for border zone inhabitants with neighbouring EU countries. Parliament goes on to call on the Government of Belarus immediately to establish a moratorium on all death sentences and executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty (as provided for by UN General Assembly Resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007), to commute without delay the sentences of all prisoners currently on death row to terms of imprisonment, to bring domestic legislation into line with the country's obligations under international human rights treaties and to ensure that the internationally recognised standards for fair trials are rigorously respected. Lastly, Parliament calls on the Commission to make full use of the possibilities to support civil society and democratic developments in Belarus via the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and stresses at the same time that support for democratic opposition must be an integral part of the gradual re-engagement process with Belarus. date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure EP 123-p2
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2
procedure/subject	Old 6.10.04 Third-country political situation, local and regional conflicts New 6.10.04 Third-country political situation, local and regional conflicts
procedure/subtype	Old Resolution on statements New Resolution on statement

2015-11-04Show (1) Changes | Timetravel

procedure/subject/0

Old

6.10.04 Third-countries political situation, local and regional conflicts

New

6.10.04 Third-country political situation, local and regional conflicts

2014-11-10Show (5) Changes

activities	date: 2009-12-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20091216&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament date: 2009-12-17T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=17842&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2009-117 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0117/2009 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
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procedure	geographical_area Belarus reference 2009/2790(RSP) title Resolution on Belarus legal_basis Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 123-p2 stage_reached Procedure completed subtype Resolution on statements type RSP - Resolutions on topical subjects subject 6.10.04 Third-countries political situation, local and regional conflicts

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