PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Authoritarianism in Belarus and arbitrary detention of prisoners of conscience (25 May 2021)

That this House condemns the actions by the Belarusian authorities on 23 May 2021 which resulted in the forced landing of Ryanair flight FR4978 in Minsk and the subsequent arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich and his partner Sofia Sapega; notes that the actions of Belarus are a breach of international civil and aviation law under the Chicago Convention; is concerned that 33,000 civilians have been arbitrarily detained since the fraudulent presidential election of 9 August 2020; further notes that there are currently more than 3000 prisoners of conscience which include activists such as Paval Sevyarynets, Yauhen Afnahel and Iryna Shchastnaya; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience in Belarus; notes that the UK is Belarus’ third-largest trading partner and that Lukashenko’s government is heavily dependent on financial flows via London; and therefore further calls on the Government to implement new sanctions against Belarus, including halting Belarus from using the London Stock Exchange and banning any UK investment into Belarus until all prisoners of conscience are released and free and fair democratic elections held in Belarus.

Sponsored by:
Alyn Smith (Scottish National Party)