Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, has issued a pressing call for the release of 224 political prisoners in Belarus. This demand comes amidst ongoing repression in the country, which has been under the authoritarian rule of Alexander Lukashenko since 1994.
Belarus, often referred to as "Europe's last dictatorship," has been experiencing heightened political tension since the disputed 2020 presidential election. This landlocked nation of approximately 9.4 million people has seen widespread crackdowns on dissent, resulting in the detention of over 65,000 individuals, according to the Viasna human rights group.
Tsikhanouskaya, who ran against Lukashenko in the 2020 election and was subsequently forced into exile, emphasized the urgent need to free vulnerable prisoners, including minors, the elderly, those with serious medical conditions, and mothers of multiple children. The opposition has identified 29 detainees in critical condition, with six political prisoners reportedly having died in custody since 2020.
Among the notable prisoners is Ales Bialiatski, founder of Viasna and recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Another is opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, whose health is reportedly deteriorating rapidly in prison.
Despite international criticism and sanctions, Lukashenko maintains there are no political prisoners in Belarus. However, in recent months, he has pardoned 115 individuals who applied for clemency and publicly repented. Tsikhanouskaya cautiously welcomed these pardons but noted that hundreds more have been arrested, with 142 additional people designated as political prisoners.
Belarus, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, has maintained close ties with Russia, forming the Union State in 1999. The country's state-controlled economy relies heavily on agriculture and manufacturing, and it boasts a literacy rate of nearly 100%.
As Lukashenko prepares to seek re-election in 2025, the international community continues to express concern over the human rights situation in Belarus. The country, known for its rich cultural heritage and natural wonders like the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, faces ongoing challenges in balancing its authoritarian governance with growing calls for democratic reform.
"These people need to be released immediately and without conditions."
The situation in Belarus remains a focal point for human rights advocates and democratic movements worldwide, as the country grapples with its political future and international standing.