MEPs want to propose to add Russian citizens to the list of sanctions for Belarus. This was reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the corresponding draft resolution.
“The European Parliament calls on the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and the Council to explore the possibility of including Russian citizens who are directly involved in supporting the regime of [President Alexander] Lukashenko in Belarus,” the European Parliament (EP) resolution proposals read.
In a document published on the EP's website, the deputies also reject the results of the elections in the republic, which took place on August 9, and according to which Lukashenka won 80 percent of the vote. “The European Parliament repeats the calls of the Belarusian people for the early organization of new, free and fair elections under international control and in accordance with international standards,” the document says.
In addition, the MEPs propose to express support for the individual EU sanctions on Belarus, including against Lukashenka, to call on the EU countries to take immediate measures against those involved in election fraud and violence in the republic. The draft also calls for increasing financial support for civil society in Belarus and freezing all transfers of funds to the authorities and projects funded by the Belarusian state.
“Parliament calls on the EU to organize a donor conference for a democratic Belarus, which will bring together international institutions, representatives of the G7, member states and EU institutions,” reads the preliminary draft resolution.
The document also wants to fix the call to the EU countries to simplify and speed up the issuance of visas for those leaving Belarus for political reasons.
The protests in the republic continue for the sixth week. Their participants demand the resignation of Lukashenka, the holding of new elections and the punishment of the security officials responsible for the brutal dispersal of the demonstrators.
