Press release, 18 August 2020 

Members of the Seimas gathered for an extraordinary session to discuss the situation in the neighbouring Republic of Belarus after the presidential election.

As noted by Irena Degutienė, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas, Member of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) Political Group, Belarusians and other proud nations of the country have declared their right to dignity, freedom, and democracy.

‘It is not just a fight, but rather self-defence. It is an indispensable defence not only against the brutal dictator and his henchmen guarding him armed to teeth, defence not only in the face of the shameful demagogy and lies – it is rather the necessity of the Belarusians and Belarus to defend themselves in this moment of history. It is therefore a matter of honour to stand together with them in their struggle for the right of every person to live in freedom and dignity. We must support our historical brothers and sisters, and we must do this in the name of respect for the human being, the nation and the state,’ said Irena Degutienė.

According to Viktoras Pranckietis, Speaker of the Seimas, who participated remotely in the meeting due to self-isolation, international organisations and media  underline that Lithuania has a crucial role to play and is taking the most courageous steps to ensure that the interests of the Belarusian people are heard: ‘The Resolution included in today’s work programme underlines the truth about the presidential election in Belarus and demands accountability from those who have deceived the Belarusian people and, faced with their resistance, started to humiliate and torture them. This will be an important starting point for united action by Europe and the wider international community.

In full support for the determination of the Belarusian people to shape their country’s future in accordance with the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, Members of the Seimas expressed their position in the Resolution on the Situation in the Republic of Belarus Following the Falsified Presidential Elections.

‘In this Resolution, we support, above all, the self-determination of the Belarusian people. We do not accept the results of the election of 9 August 2020. We do not regard Alexander Lukashenko as the legitimate head of the Republic of Belarus. We call for new, transparent, democratic presidential and parliamentary elections. We suggest initiating a mediation mission. We call for individual sanctions to be imposed on all those who have falsified these elections and all those responsible for the violations of civil and human rights. We also invite the European Union to impose restrictive measures, including not only the entry ban, but also the freezing of funds for these persons. We ask for and offer support to Belarusian non-governmental organisations, provide them with asylum and respectively limit financial and other support to the state institutions of Belarus. We invite the European Union to discuss the situation in Belarus on the highest level and introduce the European Union’s embargo on the electricity generated by the nuclear power plant in Astravyets,’ Žygimantas Pavilionis, Member of the Seimas TS-LKD Political Group, briefly presented the Resolution.

‘Recent developments represent not only a violation of human rights, but also a possible crime, which must be investigated and the perpetrators must be held accountable. It is a moment of truth for everyone, both for those who committed the crimes and for us who are following and assessing the situation, and we must remain high-principled in doing this. There is no doubt that sovereignty belongs to the Belarusian people, who also need our support. This is what we are going to do,’ Linas Antanas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said at the Seimas sitting.

The Resolution On the Situation in the Republic of Belarus Following the Falsified Presidential Elections was adopted by 120 votes in favour, none against and two  abstentions.

At the sitting, Members of the Seimas were briefed about the current developments in the neighbouring country by the representatives of Belarusian civil society: Anatoly Liabedzka, former Chairman of the United Civil Party of Belarus (remotely); Vladimir Neklyaev, Coordinator of the Belarusian National Congress (remotely); Olga Karach, Head of the Belarusian human rights protection organisation Our Home; Pavel Marynich, Head of the election monitoring project Zubr in Belarus, and Pavel Liber, Head of the unfalsified ballot counting project Voice (remotely).