Miklós Haraszti: Lukashenka system needs Europe now (video)

The UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, spoke yesterday at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament.

Here are some of the key points of Mr. Haraszti’s speech on the human rights situation in Belarus.

• release of political prisoners is meaningless without their rehabilitation.
• mirage of improvement of the human rights situation in Belarus.
• deterioration in all areas: problems with the media, including new bureaucratic hurdles against online publications; public activity without permission punished everyday, with practically no activity getting permission; it is criminal not only to organize something that has not been permitted but also to participate.
• Bialiatski is a criminal by definition, remaining under the threat of criminal prosecution, as Viasna lacks official registration.
• the country is governed by presidential decrees.
• Belarus is the only country in Europe with a parliament with no opposition for nearly 20 years.
• forced-labor-driven economy, fake stability.
• danger of Belarus’ two-track policy; European Parliament could help tie up the two tracks.
• a measure of gradualism should be introduced into relations with Belarus.
• Lukashenka's system needs Europe now.
• Special Rapporteur’s mandate not acknowledged stubbornly; a message about lack of ability and willingness to cooperate with the international human rights system.