Draft of a resolution

according to art. 37 of the rules of procedure

tabled by Mr. Olivier Dupuis and Gianfranco Dell'Alba on behalf of ARE Group

on the arrest of a schoolboy, students and other human rights activists in Belarus The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Belarus,

- having regard to the Council declaration of 15 September 1997,

- having regard to the Working Document of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament on the status of relations between the EU and the Republic of Belarus of 14 October 1997 (DOC-ENDT335335512)

A. concerned about frequent news on violations of human rights, on the criminalisation of non-governmental organisations, intimidations against journalists, actors of the civil society and political opponents that give evidence that President Lukashenka shows no will to return back to democratic standards and thus widening the gap between Belarus and the democratic world;

B. concerned about the arrest of one school-boy and two students, who have been arrested in - August and October 1997 for writing anti-presidential slogans and displaying the officially banned national flag and which are still being held in pre-trial custody in violation of all international legal standards, without any possibility to continue their studies;

C. concerned about the severe beating of Yuri Kliasclievatsky, an internationally renowned film director, member of the Belarussian Helsinki Committee and of the Charter 97-movement, which happend the night after the broadcasting by a Gerinan TV-Station of the documentary film ,An Ordinary president", critically describing the governance of President Lukashenka;

D. Noting that there are frequent reports about increasing intimidation measures by the Belarussian authorifies against and journialists such as threats of physical violence, expulsions from working places and universities;

E. Taking into consideration that thousands of young and well-educated people are fleeing the country out of lack of perspectives, while other parts of the democratic opposition in Belarus have launched the "Charta 97" movement in order to find a peaceful way back to democracy;

1. Calls on the Belarussian authorities to come back to international standards in the fields of human rights, freedom of the press and of speech as provided by the international agreement on civil and political rights as well as the Paris Charta for a new Europe, to which Belarus is signatory and which is also the base for the PCA between Belarus and the EU;

2. Calls on the Belarussian authorities to release the arrested schoolboy and students excessively detained up to six months in pre-trial custody;

3. Calls on President Lukaschenka to immediately order the end of all measures of intimidation against journalists, members of the opposition and other actors of the civic society;

4. Calls on President Lukashenka to order the opening of an investigation in the case of the aggressions against Yuri Khashchevatsky

5. Stresses again that any further cooperation between the European Union and Belarus cannot be achieved until clear steps towards respect for human rights and democratic and legal reforms are taken by the government of Belarus;

5. Reiterates its support for Council declaration of 15 September 1997;

6. Underlines the necessity to continue financial support for further assistance programs for the enhancement of civil society in Belarus and to assess the possibilities for training opportunities for Belairussian students abroad, in order to acquaint them which democratic values;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the President and Govermnent of Belarus and the democratically elected Parliament of Belarus.