President Of The European Parliament: We Continue To Call On ICC To Issue Arrest Warrant For Lukashenka

Roberta Metsola gave an exclusive interview to Charter97.org.

Will Brussels seek to bring Lukashenka and his accomplices to justice? Is the European Union ready to introduce an economic embargo against the Belarusian regime? Is Belarus welcome in the EU?

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola spoke about this and much more in an exclusive interview with Charter97.org.

— In its recent resolution, the European Parliament calls the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Lukashenka. Is the Belarusian dictator being regarded today as a criminal in Brussels?

— The European institutions have universally condemned the Belarusian regime and its leader Lukashenka for outrageous human rights violations. The EU is unwavering in its solidarity with the Belarusian people. And it is imperative that we ramp up our efforts.

In the European Parliament, we have worked methodically to ensure that the struggle of the Belarusian people remains high up on the agenda. Lukashenka is ramping up oppression. His regime relentlessly prosecutes political opponents, independent media, non-governmental organizations and trade unions, all while distorting judicial reviews and grossly violating human rights.

This House has repeatedly and vociferously condemned these actions through numerous resolutions and we will continue to engage with the Belarusian democratic opposition.

We will not allow this issue to be put on the back burner.

— Will Brussels seek to bring to justice Lukashenka’s entourage, security officials, judges — people who are involved in crimes against humanity?

— The repressions perpetrated by the Lukashenka regime amount to crimes against humanity. It’s not only us saying that, also the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has stated it.

The crimes committed must be investigated and brought to justice.

Also, the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to so-called recreational camps in Belarus, for the purpose of Russification and indoctrination must be followed up on.

The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. But we continue to call on the Court to issue a similar warrant for Lukashenka's arrest and to push for the expansion of the list of individuals targeted by EU sanctions. All Belarusians who contributed to the deportation must be brought to justice.

— Belarus has turned into a smuggling hub through which Russia circumvents EU sanctions. Is Brussels considering synchronizing sanctions against the Putin and Lukashenka regimes in order to close all loopholes for circumventing sanctions?

— The EU is concerned about the circumvention of sanctions. We have adopted 11 sanction packages against Russia following its illegal invasion of Ukraine. But we are seeing loopholes and it is important that we make sure the sanctions are not circumvented. We need effective implementation to fix it. We have an obligation to ensure that they are fit-for-purpose.

This is also why, in August 2023, the Council adopted further restrictive measures against Belarus. These include sanctions in total against 233 individuals and 37 entities, restrictions on trade, a SWIFT ban for five Belarusian banks, and prohibiting transactions with the Central Bank of Belarus.

We will continue to monitor the implementation of all sanctions in order to determine whether new loopholes arise, to keep up the pressure on Moscow and Minsk.

— Trade embargo against Belarus — this is one of the proposals of the democratic forces. Could the EU take more decisive measures against the regime in Minsk?

— As long as Lukashenka continues to repress the people of Belarus and facilitate Putin's crimes, the EU’s response will remain united and determined. We will keep up the pressure and new measures will be considered as appropriate.

Most importantly, we will continue to fully support the Belarusian people in their legitimate call for democracy, freedom and peace.

— Belarusian diplomatic missions have stopped issuing passports and other documents to Belarusians abroad — we are talking about thousands of people. Setting aside legally dubious calls for a "new passport", is there an EU-level solution to ensure legal stay and travel for people whose Belarusian documents are to expire soon?

— This is yet another example of Lukashenka’s insecurity, using oppression towards his own people who are living abroad. By forcing them to return to Belarus to renew their passport, the regime is granting itself leverage for possible faulty charges.

This is absolutely unacceptable and the EU has strongly condemned Lukashenka’s tactics to manipulate Belarusians living abroad in order to later have the possibility of prosecuting them.

The EU is currently looking into how Lukashenka’s policy with passports is affecting Belarusian citizens living in the EU. We want to help them. Some Member States like Poland, Germany and Lithuania have already found solutions that will allow Belarussians to move freely.

— Today, Brussels is seriously considering Ukraine and Moldova joining the EU. Will the European door be open to Belarus?

— Any European state, which respects the values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, may apply to become a member of the Union. This is in the EU Treaties.

That means that our doors are for all of those who look at Europe as their home and that includes of course also Belarus once it becomes democratic, free and independent. Until then we will continue to stand with the Belarusian democratic opposition and to condemn Lukashenka’s oppressive regime.

— What is your message for the Belarusians who continue to fight for freedom and the European future of their country?

— We are with you. We are with all the brave Belarusians who have sacrificed so much in their quest for democracy. Through thick and thin, the European Parliament is deeply committed to standing by you. There is no cause more righteous than the pursuit of freedom. You can trust that in the House of European democracy, you will always have an honest partner and a friend.

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