Belarus: As 52 are freed, our call to release all political prisoners intensifies

ARTICLE 19 welcomes the release of more than 50 individuals from Belarusian prisons, including veteran RFE/RL reporter Ihar Losik, who spent over five years in detention. This development demonstrates that pressure works, and we must remain determined in urging the international community to defend political prisoners in Belarus. At the same time, we stress that these individuals should never have been prosecuted or imprisoned in the first place. Moreover, the fight is not over: we reiterate our call for the immediate release of all political prisoners.

Belarus pardoned 52 prisoners (including 40 political prisoners, according to Viasna) and expelled them from the country. Among those released are several journalists and activists who arrived in Lithuania on the evening of 11 September. The move comes as part of a deal between Minsk and Washington, and as political negotiations between the two countries continue. In return, the United States agreed to ease certain sanctions on Belarus' state-owned airline, Belavia.

Journalist Ihar Losik recalled his shockwhen guards entered his solitary confinement cell one morning and ordered him to pack his belongings. He was taken to a KGB facility in Minsk, where he joined other prisoners. From there, they were transported to the Lithuanian border, as leaving the country was part of the deal securing their freedom. However, one person - opposition politician Mikalay Statkevich - refused to leave Belarus and is now back in prison.

ARTICLE 19 strongly criticises the decision to expel the freed individuals from the country. The choice of whether to stay or leave should rest with the individuals themselves, not be imposed arbitrarily.

Nevertheless, the release of dozens of people marks a promising development in the fate of political prisoners in Belarus, though they should never have been detained in the first place. In June, we also witnessed the unexpected release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski- a leading activist and husband of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya - along with 13 other prisoners.

While we welcome the fact that more and more people are being freed from unjust imprisonment, we want to reinforce our long-standing call: there will be no true justice until all political prisoners are unconditionally released. There are still more than 1,000 people behind bars in Belarus (including our dear friend Andrei Aliaksandrau) on politically-motivated charges, imprisoned solely for their commitment to the fight for fundamental rights. ARTICLE 19 won't stop calling for their release.