From the correspondent in Strasbourg – Amid reports of ongoing repression and limited electoral competition, the European Parliament has passed a resolution encouraging the EU, its member states, and the international community not to recognize the upcoming Belarusian elections.

The resolution was passed on January 22 with 567 votes in favor, 25 against, and 66 abstentions.

The elections, scheduled for Sunday, January 26, are widely viewed as the continuation of incumbent leader Alexandr Lukashenko's rule.

Lukashenko has led Belarus since 1994, and the current electoral process has drawn criticism due to both the repression of opposition voices and the minor political profile of the declarations by his so-called 'challengers'.

The resolution describes the upcoming election as 'a farce' and highlights the increase in human rights violations against regime opponents as validation of its stance.

The main electoral challengers for Lukashenko are Oleg Gaidukevich of the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus, Alexander Khizhnyak from the Republican Party of Labor and Justice, Sergei Syrankov of the Communist Party of Belarus, and independent candidate Hanna Kanapackaja.

Except for Kanapackaja, these candidates lead parties that have expressed support for the Lukashenko regime.

Following the protests of 2020, over 1,700 civil society organizations and numerous political parties were banned, solidifying Lukashenko's hold on power.

The resolution articulates deep concerns regarding the more than 1,200 political prisoners currently in Belarusian detention.

The Viasna Human Rights Center in Minsk reports the acceleration of arrests related to extremism charges, marking over 100 in November alone.

Furthermore, the rates of political trials and arrests have surged, with a 50% increase reported throughout 2024.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the opposition leader in exile, has condemned the election as a mere extension of Lukashenko's leadership.

The European Parliament's call for non-recognition also stresses the regime's role in supporting Russia's military actions in Ukraine.

Additionally, the EU Parliament urges expanded sanctions against individuals implicated in the repression.

These sanctions, initially introduced in 2021, have been renewed until February 28, 2025. Currently, they target 287 individuals and 37 entities, including Lukashenko, his son Viktor, key members of the Belarusian judiciary, and prominent regime supporters.

These measures aim to respond to allegations of electoral misconduct, mistreatment of detainees, and other rights violations.