Calling for Release of Viasna Leadership and Other Belarusian Political Prisoners

That the Parliament notes with concern reports of the current trial of the leaders of Viasna, the Belarusian human rights organisation; considers that the trial is unfair and inhumane; appeals to the Belarusian courts to respect what it sees as the peaceful nature of the defendants by not using handcuffs and cages to restrain them; commends the international recognition of the human rights campaigning of Viasna's leadership, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, and calls on what it considers to be the illegitimate Belarusian regime to end its reported persecution of thousands of its own citizens who, it believes, are peacefully seeking freedom and democracy.