Political situation in Belarus

That this House notes that the elections in Belarus on 9 August were neither free nor fair, that millions of Belarusians have defied the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, condemns the violence and repression against peaceful protesters; further notes that the strikes and protests taking place across Belarus are an inspiration to workers and progressives across Europe and the world, welcomes the role of trade unions in the protests and extends our solidarity to them in the face of persecution and strike-breaking by the regime; rejects the idea that democratisation need be a move towards neo-liberal economic reforms, and welcomes the demands raised by the trade union movement to declare the presidential elections void, dismiss President Lukashenko, freedom and compensation for all political prisoners, end all proceedings against opponents of the regime, removal of Police officials and judges responsible for violence and repression, end the draconian system of fixed-term contracts affecting 90 per cent of workers in Belarus; and calls for international solidarity with the people of Belarus in their struggle for freedom and democracy, and opposes the introduction of repressive forces from outside Belarus.