The G7 foreign ministers ondemn in the strongest terms the unprecedented action by the Belarusian authoritiesregarding the forced landing of a Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk and the detention of opposition journalist Roman Protasevich.The statement was published on the UK government website on Thursday, May 27.
“This action jeopardised the safety of the passengers and crew of the flight. It was also a serious attack on the rules governing civil aviation. All our countries, and our citizens, depend on every state acting responsibly in fulfilling their duties under the Chicago Convention so that civil aircraft can operate safely and securely. We call on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to urgently address this challenge to its rules and standards,” the message reads.
The Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the EU High Representative called for the immediate release of Roman Protasevich, his companion Sofia Sopega and other journalists and political prisoners.
“This action also represents a serious attack on media freedom. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Raman Pratasevich, as well as all other journalists and political prisoners held in Belarus,” G7 leaders stated.
Finally, the G7 countries stated that they will seek to bring the Belarusian authorities to responsibility.
“We will enhance our efforts, including through further sanctions as appropriate, to promote accountability for the actions of the Belarusian authorities,” the message concluded.