Poland has formally urged the ambassadors of EU member states, the Sherpas guiding presidents and prime ministers of EU countries, as well as officials from the European Commission and the European Council, to move swiftly toward imposing sanctions on Belarus in response to the sentences handed down to Ales Byalyatski and other Belarusian opposition figures, according to sources linked to PAP.
As reported by PAP, Poland is calling for a rapid response in the form of a comprehensive EU sanctions package addressing the troubling actions of the Belarusian regime.
Poland’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Andrzej Sadoś, confirmed to PAP that the country filed the proposal on its own behalf, presenting the request through proper diplomatic channels.
Earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signaled that sanctions on Belarus would be part of the EU’s response, though no measures have yet been enacted.
The Swedish Presidency of the EU has not taken an active role in this issue, according to one EU diplomat cited by PAP.
Bialacki sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony
Ales Bialiatski, Belarusian human rights defender, founder of the human rights center Viasna, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, received a 10-year prison sentence in Minsk on Friday. Three associates of Bialiatski were sentenced to seven to nine years in prison. The verdict was reported by the Viasna center and corroborated by independent media outlets.
Human rights advocates and supporters have long argued that the case against Viasna and its leadership is politically motivated, with numerous observers labeling the defendants as prisoners of conscience. The sentencing has drawn international attention and widespread condemnation from governments and civil society groups alike.
Related updates have included statements from various figures and organizations. The Nobel Committee and EU representatives have commented on the situation, highlighting concerns about due process and the integrity of the legal proceedings. Diplomatic voices have urged Minsk to reconsider and to release individuals believed to be unjustly imprisoned. Commentary from national governments has emphasized the need for a full and transparent review of the case, as well as the protection of human rights in Belarus.
Source: wPolityce