Head Of European Parliament Delegation To Belarus: I Call For Immediate Release Of Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk

All EU countries must work to release Belarusian political prisoners.

The head of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Belarus, Małgorzata Gosiewska, made a statement in support of political prisoner and activist of the European Belarus civil campaign Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk. The MEP calls on Brussels to increase pressure on the Belarusian regime:

— We are deeply concerned to inform you that we have received new information today about the appeal decision in the case of the well-known Belarusian opposition activist Polina Sharenda-Panasiuk, scheduled for 13 December 2024.

Today, we stand united in solidarity with Palina's husband, Andrei Sharenda, and their children, Slavamir and Stakh.

Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, an activist of the European Belarus civil campaign, was arrested on January 3, 2021, in front of her four-year-old son. Even behind bars, she continues to fight for her rights and defend her civic position, speaking out against the Lukashenka regime.

After the first two-year sentence, Palina was tried three more times in a penal colony, with each trial adding another year to her sentence. Her prison sentence has become virtually endless. Over the past four years, she has been repeatedly placed in solitary confinement.

Palina's health has significantly deteriorated during her imprisonment. She developed chronic pancreatitis, which in prison conditions is effectively a death sentence.

The latest sentence was handed down on October 14, Mother's Day in Belarus. After the appeal, Palina will once again be sent to a penal colony, where the harassment will continue, and the sentence will most likely be extended. Given her current health condition, it is unclear whether Palina will survive another prison term.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the systematic and total repression of the neo-totalitarian regime of Lukashenka against the people of Belarus, which may amount to crimes against humanity.

We urge the EU and its Member States to continue working for the immediate and unconditional release of Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk and all political prisoners illegally held in Belarusian penitentiary institutions, where they are subjected to torture and ill-treatment.

We reiterate our unwavering commitment to continue working with the Belarusian democratic forces to exert maximum pressure on the Lukashenka regime through diplomatic means. We call on the EU and partners to implement an effective system of sanctions against the Lukashenka regime.

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