Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for being here to listen to our deliberations and to discuss them with us. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the situation in Belarus on the record of the House because as we all acknowledge, the situation in Belarus challenges the democratic fabric that our societies and our Continent are built on. We have to show true solidarity with the Belarusian people in their peaceful defence of democratic principles and fundamental human rights.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Council of Europe in Strasbourg together with colleagues from the Seanad. I was privileged to meet Tatsiana Khomich, who was representing her sister, Maria Kalesnikava, who is one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition. Maria was sentenced to 11 years in prison in September after standing trial behind closed doors. It was a unique opportunity to listen to the lived experience of somebody who is so concerned about her sister in prison and about the human rights of the people of Belarus. She spoke in an articulate and emotional way about how in August of last year the people of Belarus saw their hopes to elect a legitimate leader of the country viciously ruined.

Since then, we have born witness to the people of Belarus unceasingly and courageously stand up for the respect of human rights and basic freedoms. They were perfectly right to seek new and democratic elections. They have peacefully protested in the face of the Lukashenko regime's contempt for the rule of law and Belarus's international commitments and human rights obligations. Their call remains unanswered. The Lukashenko regime has cracked down on its own people and is exacerbating the rift between state and society. Representatives of the opposition and the democratic forces, together with thousands of citizens from all sections of society, have either died in uncertain circumstances, been incarcerated as Maria has been, or have been compelled to leave the country and live in exile.

The issues that have been bubbling up in Belarus have not been sufficiently tackled by the international community in my view. It is not just a political issue; it is a humanitarian one. The migrant situation at the borders of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland is concerning and we stand in solidarity with and support them. The migrants who have made it to the border need to be protected. We need to ensure that the right to request international protection, as provided by the Geneva Conventions, is maintained for these people. Further sanctions are needed, particularly sanctions that target those facilitating the instrumentalisation of migration at the EU's external borders. The Belarusian response to EU sanctions has been unacceptable, especially Lukashenko's movements to exploit migration against the EU borders. In light of the situation in Afghanistan, there is a concern that Lukashenko will also seek to instrumentalise Afghan refugees. The Belarusian airline, Belavia, is accused of transporting migrants to Belarus to pressure the EU. This is a direct tactic to taunt and challenge the European Union and it must be dealt with effectively and quickly.

By having this debate and by having the Minister present we are sending a strong message of solidarity with Belarus and the Belarusians who live within our country.It is important we stand up for the human rights and democratic principles of the people of Belarus and that we work with our European colleagues and neighbours to ensure these human rights are upheld and that further sanctions are put in place.