European Parliament
Marek Henryk Migalski  (ECR ). -
(PL)
Madam President, there have been discussions here today about Russia and about Ukraine, but I would like to raise the issue of Belarus. In that country Sergei Kovalenko has now been on hunger strike for 56 days. His only crime was to drape a Belarus flag in traditional colours on a Christmas tree. I have raised this matter both with President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, and with other European authorities. I have received assurances that a decision about a statement by the European Parliament in defence of Sergei Kovalenko will be taken tomorrow. I hope that this will indeed happen, as we cannot allow there to be, in the very heart of Europe, the last old-style dictatorship that imprisons its own citizens and takes them hostage. I believe that on this issue the statement by, first of all, President Schulz, as well as by the whole European Parliament, should be unequivocal.

