International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

Press Leaders Protest Stifling of Media in Belarus

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 4, 2021
Countries, Alexander Lukashenko, Russification, Europe, Lukashenko, In Belarus, BELARUS, Politicians, Belarusian protests, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the National Press Club and the NPC Journalism Institute said on Thursday that Aleksandr Lukashenko, the ruler of Belarus, must cease his long-running crackdown on free expression.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, June 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the National Press Club and the NPC Journalism Institute said on Thursday that Aleksandr Lukashenko, the ruler of Belarus, must cease his long-running crackdown on free expression.
  • Lukashenko has repressed an opposition movement and media professionals in Belarus since contested elections there last year, and he has all but extinguished an independent and free press, according to human rights groups.
  • National Press Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews and NPC Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane issued the following statement:
    "It is past time for Aleksandr Lukashenko to cease his repression of free expression in Belarus.
  • He helped run two channels on the Telegram messaging app, the primary source of information in Belarus, including about protest activities.

Belarus: EU prolongs sanctions for a year

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 26, 2021
Countries, Europe, Alexander Lukashenko, Russification, Contemporary history, BELARUS, Belarusian protests, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

The EU sanctions also target economic actors, prominent businesspeople and companies benefiting from and/or supporting the regime of Alexandr Lukashenko.

Key Points: 
  • The EU sanctions also target economic actors, prominent businesspeople and companies benefiting from and/or supporting the regime of Alexandr Lukashenko.
  • In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, either directly or indirectly.
  • The EU is closely monitoring the evolution of the situation in Belarus.
  • In addition, the EU will continue to support the Belarusian people in their legitimate request for democracy, including through support to civil society and independent media.

Belarus: EU imposes third round of sanctions over ongoing repression

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 18, 2020
Countries, Contemporary history, Alexander Lukashenko, Russification, Europe, BELARUS, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests, Belarusian protests

These sanctions target high-level officials responsible for the ongoing violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists, among others.

Key Points: 
  • These sanctions target high-level officials responsible for the ongoing violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists, among others.
  • They also target economic actors, prominent businessmen and companies benefiting from and/or supporting the regime of Aleksandr Lukashenko.
  • In addition, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities.
  • The EU also stands ready to adopt further sanctions, including on other economic actors, if the situation in Belarus does not improve.

Article - Belarussian opposition receives 2020 Sakharov Prize

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 17, 2020
Politicians, Belarusian protests, In Belarus, Contemporary history, Countries, Politics of Belarus, Coordination Council, Democratization, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, BELARUS, Sakharov Prize, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

They received the Sakharov Prize on behalf of the democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, an initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures.

Key Points: 
  • They received the Sakharov Prize on behalf of the democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, an initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures.
  • Accepting the prize, the main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said: Each and every Belarusian who takes part in the peaceful protest against violence and lawlessnes is a hero.
  • In a resolution adopted in September 2020, the European Parliament condemned the Belarusian authorities for their violent repression of peaceful protests.
  • Parliament is organising a fact-finding mission about Belarus on 18- 21 December to determine further support for the democratic opposition, in line with a resolution adopted on 26 November 2020.

Belarus: EU adopts conclusions

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Countries, Europe, Continents, BELARUS, Republics, Alexander Lukashenko, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests, Human rights in Belarus

The Council today adopted conclusions on the EU's response to the developments in Belarus.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today adopted conclusions on the EU's response to the developments in Belarus.
  • In its conclusions the Council reiterates that the 9 August presidential elections were neither free nor fair and that Aleksandr Lukashenko lacks any democratic legitimacy.
  • The EU will scale down bilateral cooperation with the Belarusian authorities at central level, increase its support for the Belarusian people and civil society, and recalibrate its bilateral financial assistance accordingly.
  • In line with that, the EU has immediately made available additional financial resources for victims of violence, civil society organisations and independent media.

Belarus: Statement by the High Representative on demands to redu

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 5, 2020
Countries, BELARUS, Republics, Contemporary history, Geography of Europe, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

The demand of the Belarusian authorities that Poland and Lithuania withdraw their ambassadors and significantly reduce their diplomatic representations in Minsk is unfounded and regrettable.

Key Points: 
  • The demand of the Belarusian authorities that Poland and Lithuania withdraw their ambassadors and significantly reduce their diplomatic representations in Minsk is unfounded and regrettable.
  • It goes against the logic of dialogue and will only further isolate the authorities in Minsk.
  • Attempts by the Belarusian authorities to target certain EU Member States will not succeed in weakening EU unity, which was clearly reaffirmed by the European Council on 1 October when all EU Member States called on the Belarusian authorities to end violence and repression, release all detainees and political prisoners, respect media freedom and civil society, and start an inclusive national dialogue.
  • The EU continues to support the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their President through new free and fair elections, without external interference.

European Council conclusions on external relations, 1 October 20

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 2, 2020
Organizations, Articles, International organizations, Confederations, European Union, Xi Jinping, China–European Union relations, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

All differences must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and in accordance with international law.

Key Points: 
  • All differences must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and in accordance with international law.
  • In this context, the European Council reiterates its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, whose sovereignty and sovereign rights must be respected.
  • At the same time, the European Council strongly condemns violations of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus which must stop.
  • The European Council calls on Turkey to abstain from similar actions in the future, in breach of international law.
  • The European Council invites its President, in cooperation with the President of the Commission and with the support of the High Representative, to develop a proposal for re-energising the EU-Turkey agenda to this effect.
  • Finally, the European Council calls for a Multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and invites the High Representative to engage in talks about its organisation.
  • The Conference could address issues on which multilateral solutions are needed, including maritime delimitation, security, energy, migration and economic cooperation.

China

    • It also calls on China to deliver on previous commitments to address market access barriers, to make progress on overcapacity and engage in negotiations on industrial subsidies at the World Trade Organization.
    • The European Council encourages China to assume greater responsibility in dealing with global challenges.
    • The European Council welcomes, as an important step in the right direction, the statement of President Xi Jinping, following the Leaders video conference, that China will aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
    • The European Council underlines its serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, including developments in Hong Kong and the treatment of people belonging to minorities, as expressed at the EU-China summit in June and the Leaders meeting held on 14 September.
    • It looks forward to a meeting of all its members with President Xi Jinping in 2021.

Belarus

    • The European Council condemns the unacceptable violence by Belarusian authorities against peaceful protesters, as well as intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detentions following the presidential elections, the results of which it does not recognise.
    • The European Council fully supports the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their President through new free and fair elections, without external interference.
    • The European Council also encourages the European Commission to prepare a comprehensive plan of economic support for democratic Belarus.
    • With regard to the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant Ostrovets, the European Council reiterates the importance of ensuring nuclear and environmental safety.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

    • The European Council calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges parties to recommit to a lasting ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
    • There can be no military solution to the conflict, nor any external interference.
    • The European Council expresses its support for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and asks the High Representative to examine further EU support for the settlement process.

Alexei Navalny

European Council conclusions on external relations, 1 October 2020

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 2, 2020
Organizations, Articles, International organizations, Confederations, European Union, Xi Jinping, China–European Union relations, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

All differences must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and in accordance with international law.

Key Points: 
  • All differences must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and in accordance with international law.
  • In this context, the European Council reiterates its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, whose sovereignty and sovereign rights must be respected.
  • At the same time, the European Council strongly condemns violations of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus which must stop.
  • The European Council calls on Turkey to abstain from similar actions in the future, in breach of international law.
  • The European Council invites its President, in cooperation with the President of the Commission and with the support of the High Representative, to develop a proposal for re-energising the EU-Turkey agenda to this effect.
  • Finally, the European Council calls for a Multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and invites the High Representative to engage in talks about its organisation.
  • The Conference could address issues on which multilateral solutions are needed, including maritime delimitation, security, energy, migration and economic cooperation.

China

    • It also calls on China to deliver on previous commitments to address market access barriers, to make progress on overcapacity and engage in negotiations on industrial subsidies at the World Trade Organization.
    • The European Council encourages China to assume greater responsibility in dealing with global challenges.
    • The European Council welcomes, as an important step in the right direction, the statement of President Xi Jinping, following the Leaders video conference, that China will aim to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
    • The European Council underlines its serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, including developments in Hong Kong and the treatment of people belonging to minorities, as expressed at the EU-China summit in June and the Leaders meeting held on 14 September.
    • It looks forward to a meeting of all its members with President Xi Jinping in 2021.

Belarus

    • The European Council condemns the unacceptable violence by Belarusian authorities against peaceful protesters, as well as intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detentions following the presidential elections, the results of which it does not recognise.
    • The European Council fully supports the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their President through new free and fair elections, without external interference.
    • The European Council also encourages the European Commission to prepare a comprehensive plan of economic support for democratic Belarus.
    • With regard to the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant Ostrovets, the European Council reiterates the importance of ensuring nuclear and environmental safety.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

    • The European Council calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges parties to recommit to a lasting ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
    • There can be no military solution to the conflict, nor any external interference.
    • The European Council expresses its support for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and asks the High Representative to examine further EU support for the settlement process.

Alexei Navalny

Belarus: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the so-called ‘inauguration’ of Aleksandr Lukashenko

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 25, 2020
Countries, Alexander Lukashenko, Russification, Contemporary history, Europe, Belarusian protests, In Belarus, BELARUS, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests, Belarusian presidential election

Recalling the Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union of 11 September, the EU once again reiterates that the 9 August Belarus Presidential elections were neither free nor fair.

Key Points: 
  • Recalling the Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union of 11 September, the EU once again reiterates that the 9 August Belarus Presidential elections were neither free nor fair.
  • The European Union does not recognise their falsified results.
  • On this basis, the so-called inauguration of 23 September 2020 and the new mandate claimed by Aleksandr Lukashenko lack any democratic legitimacy.
  • The European Unions position is clear: Belarusian citizens deservethe right to be represented bythosethey freely choose through new inclusive, transparent and credible elections.

EU local and regional leaders call on local authorities in Belarus to help find a political solution to the crisis

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Politicians, Countries, Organizations, Interpreters, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian protests, In Belarus, European Union, BELARUS, European Parliament, Belarusian presidential election, International reactions to the 2020 Belarusian presidential election and protests

You are here > > News > EU local and regional leaders call on local authorities in Belarus to help find a political solution...

Key Points: 
  • You are here > > News > EU local and regional leaders call on local authorities in Belarus to help find a political solution...
    23/09/2020 | Citizenship; EU communication policy; EU Treaties; Fundamental rights and rule of law; Future of Europe; Judicial cooperation; Public administration; REFIT and better law-making; Resolutions E.C.
  • On 17 September members of the European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the official results of the so-called presidential elections" on 9 August.
  • Mr Autreviius said that we need solidarity, we need support, and we need sanctions" in the EU's policy towards Belarus.
  • He also provided an account of the European Parliament's meeting on 21 September with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the opposition's candidate in the elections.