Komunikati

by:

• the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), MEP David McALLISTER
• the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, MEP Mounir SATOURI
• the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Belarus, MEP Małgorzata GOSIEWSKA, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus, MEP Tomas TOBÉ, first Vice-Chair and MEP Michał KOBOSKO, second Vice-Chair
• AFET Standing Rapporteur on Belarus, MEP Helmut BRANDSTÄTTER

25 March 2026 - On this day, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt congratulations to Belarusians across the world as they mark the anniversary of the 1918 Declaration of Independence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Freedom Day is far more than a historical milestone - it is a living testament to a nation's enduring aspiration for statehood, dignity, and self-determination. It embodies a vision of Belarus that predates and transcends the Soviet era and continues to inspire generations in their pursuit of freedom.

Although the Belarusian Democratic Republic existed only briefly before being crushed by the Red Army, its legacy has never faded. For many Belarusians, it remains the true foundation of modern statehood - a powerful reminder that Belarusian independence is neither accidental nor recent but rooted in a deep and distinct national tradition that has withstood immense historical pressures.

Today, Freedom Day carries renewed and deeply emotional significance. It is not only a commemoration of the past, but also a symbol of present-day resistance. In the face of repression, it unites Belarusians in their unwavering call for freedom, particularly in the aftermath of the fraudulent 2020 presidential election. For many, it has become a focal point for peaceful protest - a courageous stand against injustice, fear, and the systematic silencing of dissent.

This struggle for a sovereign and democratic Belarus comes at a profound human cost. Countless members of the opposition and civil society have been forced into exile, separated from their homes and loved ones. Those who remain continue to face imprisonment, intimidation, and violence. While the recent release of several prominent political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialatski, offers a rare and welcome sign of hope, almost nine hundred people remain unjustly detained on politically motivated charges, and new sentences continue to be imposed on journalists, activists, and those who dare to speak the truth.

In this context, Freedom Day resonates as a powerful affirmation of Belarusian sovereignty - one that is both urgent and deeply personal. At a time when Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine is reshaping the security landscape of the region, and as Belarus faces increasing political, economic, and military integration with Russia, the very question of Belarus's independence has become more pressing than ever. Freedom Day is therefore not only about remembering the past, but about safeguarding the future. It reminds us that sovereignty is not an abstract concept, but a lived reality that must be actively defended against external pressure and internal erosion. It reflects the determination of Belarusians to remain masters of their own destiny, to preserve their statehood, and to resist any path that would compromise their independence or lead to subjugation.

In this regard, we underscore the profound importance of safeguarding Belarus's rich cultural heritage, language, and national symbols - pillars of identity that have endured through decades of suppression, marginalisation, and attempted erasure. The Belarusian language, traditions, and historical symbols are not only expressions of culture; they are also acts of resilience and quiet defiance. Today, they carry even greater meaning as they are preserved and celebrated both within Belarus and across the diaspora, often in the face of continued pressure. Protecting and promoting this cultural heritage is inseparable from the broader struggle for freedom - it is about reclaiming a national narrative, restoring dignity, and ensuring that future generations inherit a Belarus that is not only free and democratic, but also deeply rooted in its own unique identity.

This is also clearly understood by the ruling regime, which bears no relation to the tradition of Belarus's independent democratic statehood. It is no coincidence that recent weeks have been marked by a renewed wave of repression, including torture and arbitrary arrests, targeting those who sustain the Belarusian cultural sphere - publishers, writers and educators. In this way, conditions are being created that may facilitate the further erosion of Belarus's sovereignty and increase the risk of its de facto annexation by resurgent Russian imperialism.

Freedom Day stands as a powerful rallying cry for democracy, sovereignty, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. Across more than 30 countries this week, Belarusians are coming together in solidarity, demonstrating that even in exile, their unity and resilience remain unbroken. Their spirit endures, refusing to be extinguished by repression or fear.

This day reminds us that hope for a democratic, sovereign, and European Belarus must never fade - a Belarus that respects international law, upholds human rights, and stands firmly against aggression and injustice. We firmly believe that the day will come when all Belarusians can celebrate Freedom Day freely, openly, and safely in their own homeland.

We reaffirm our steadfast support for a peaceful transition towards a system grounded in the rule of law, where human rights are fully protected and where independent media and civil society can thrive without fear. We believe unequivocally that the people of Belarus have the right to determine their political future, to choose their leaders, and to define their national symbols and identity. We remain fully committed to supporting Belarus's European path, in close cooperation with democratic forces and representatives of Belarusian civil society.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

by

Ms Małgorzata GOSIEWSKA, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus, Mr Tomas TOBÉ, first Vice-Chair and Michał KOBOSKO, second Vice-Chair

12 March 2026 - On the occasion of the Constitution Day in Belarus, we reaffirm the importance of constitutional governance, the rule of law, and the sovereign right of the Belarusian people to determine the future of their country.

The Constitution adopted in 1994 laid the foundations of an independent and sovereign Belarus following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. It embodied the principles of separation of powers, democratic governance, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. These principles remain essential for the future of Belarus and reflect the enduring aspirations of its citizens for a democratic state governed by law.

Yet today, these constitutional principles face profound challenges. Over the past decades, constitutional checks and balances have been systematically weakened and democratic institutions have been eroded. The continued repression of civil society, independent media, and political opposition further undermines the constitutional rights of Belarusian citizens.

Recent amendments to the Belarusian Constitution have further consolidated the authoritarian system established under Aliaksandr Lukashenka. Rather than strengthening democratic governance, these changes reinforce the existing power structure, including the constitutionalisation of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly as a powerful political body dominated by regime loyalists, the resetting of presidential term limits allowing the incumbent to remain in power potentially until 2035, and the granting of lifelong immunity to former presidents.

We are particularly concerned about the growing political, economic, and military integration between Belarus and the Russian Federation within the framework of the so-called Union State. Such developments raise serious questions about the preservation of Belarus's sovereignty and the ability of its people to freely determine the direction of their country. The removal from the Constitution of provisions affirming Belarus's neutral and nuclear-free status further deepens the country's political and military integration with Russia.

In the current geopolitical context, respect for Belarus's sovereignty and territorial integrity is of paramount importance. The future of Belarus must be decided solely by the Belarusian people, free from external pressure or coercion.

We therefore reiterate our strong support for the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and for all those who continue to work peacefully for a free, sovereign, and democratic Belarus. We call for the release of all political prisoners, the restoration of fundamental freedoms, and the creation of conditions for genuine democratic participation. On this Constitution Day, we stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus and reaffirm that sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law remain the cornerstone of a stable and prosperous Europe. A constitution is more than a legal text; it is the living expression of a nation's will, its shared values, and its hopes for the future. It reflects the principles that bind a society together--freedom, dignity, justice, and the rule of law--and safeguards the right of a people to determine their own destiny. When respected and upheld, it protects citizens from the abuse of power and provides the foundation upon which democratic institutions and resilient societies can flourish. For any nation, the integrity of its constitution is inseparable from the preservation of its independence, its democratic development, and the voice of its people.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

by

Ms Małgorzata GOSIEWSKA, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus,

Mr Tomas TOBÉ, first Vice-Chair and Michał KOBOSKO, second Vice-Chair

and

Mr Mounir SATOURI, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI)

We welcome the recent release of 123 arbitrarily detained prisoners by the Belarusian regime. Among those freed are prominent democratic figures, including Maryia Kalesnikava, Pavel Seviarynets, Viktar Babaryka and Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Sakharov Prize laureate, as well as several foreign nationals. This development brings long-awaited relief to families and loved ones, and to all those who have worked tirelessly for years to secure the freedom of political prisoners in Belarus.

The release of Ales Bialiatski is of profound symbolic importance. For decades, he has exemplified moral courage and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, notably through his role in founding and leading the Human Rights Centre Viasna and in documenting serious abuses committed by the authorities. His imprisonment, despite wide international recognition, became a powerful emblem of the regime's efforts to silence independent voices and dismantle civil society.

At the same time, we deeply regret that Andrzej Poczobut, journalist and laureate of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, remains imprisoned for writing about history, identity, repression, and the dignity of people whose voices the authorities seek to silence. Today, the European Parliament is holding an exchange of views with his representatives, underlining once again that Andrzej Poczobut is not forgotten and that his case remains firmly on the European agenda.

The long-overdue release of Ales Bialatski and others must not distract from the harsh reality that more than 1,200 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarus. Among them are Viasna members Maryia Rabkova and Valiantsin Stefanovich, who continue to face ill-treatment, severe restrictions on their rights, sustained pressure and isolation. For each of these individuals, every additional day in detention constitutes a continuing injustice and a violation of fundamental human rights.

Furthermore, we note with deep concern that all released prisoners are being removed from their homeland and forced into exile, deprived of any real possibility to remain in Belarus or to return there safely. Such practices constitute a form of continued repression, further weaken Belarusian society, strip the country of its most active and engaged citizens, and seriously undermine the prospects for democratic renewal from within.

We stress that these partial releases, while welcome, fall far short of what is required and do not signal genuine systemic change. Hundreds of political prisoners remain arbitrarily detained, subjected to inhuman and degrading conditions, denied adequate medical care, held in prolonged isolation, and convicted following fundamentally unfair trials.

Responsibility for this situation lies squarely with the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who continues to criminalise the exercise of fundamental freedoms, dismantle civil society, and govern through fear and repression.

We warn against any attempt to portray these releases as a gesture of normalisation or goodwill. Such claims cannot be credible without clear and concrete further steps, including the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and their full legal and political rehabilitation; an end to politically motivated prosecutions; and the restoration of fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

We call on international partners, including the European Union and the United States, to maintain a principled and conditional approach, ensuring that any engagement with Minsk is strictly tied to real, verifiable and lasting progress on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

We reiterate our full solidarity with the people of Belarus, with Belarusian civil society, and with all those who continue to fight peacefully for a democratic, free and sovereign Belarus, part of the European family. The release of a number of prisoners is a step forward -- but freedom for all remains the non-negotiable goal.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

by

Ms Małgorzata GOSIEWSKA, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus,

Mr Tomas TOBÉ, first Vice-Chair and Michał KOBOSKO, second Vice-Chair:

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Belarus reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the people of Belarus--people who continue to stand, with extraordinary courage, for democracy, dignity, and the fundamental freedoms that belong to every human being.

Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--a document that enshrines universal principles shared by all humanity, and to which every UN member, including Belarus, has pledged commitment. Its own Constitution recognises the primacy of these universal norms, and Belarus has ratified the core human-rights treaties born from the Declaration. Yet today, these obligations are violated daily, and brutally, by the Lukashenka regime.

According to the Human Rights Centre Viasna, more than 1,200 political prisoners are officially still being held in detention, although in reality the number is several thousand higher. They have been imprisoned solely for demanding fair elections, justice, and the right to have their voices heard. Torture and ill-treatment remain part of their daily lives. Moreover, alongside occasional waves of releases, further innocent citizens continue to be arrested, demonstrating that there is no genuine improvement in the situation.

The recent releases do not represent real progress towards justice and reconciliation, as they are selective, incomplete, and do not stem from any genuine willingness to change, but from international pressure. Civil society organisations have been dismantled and independent media destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have been forced to leave the country, abandoning their homes, families, and future. The regime's increasing complicity in Russia's aggression against Ukraine only deepens the suffering and threatens the security of the entire region.

In this context, at a time when state institutions in Belarus no longer protect their own citizens, Belarusian democratic forces are courageously designing the future: developing reforms, drafting a democratic constitution, and building the institutional foundations of the country they deserve. This work offers a vital roadmap for hope, justice, and democratic renewal. To facilitate this dialogue and to advance work on the reform agenda for a future democratic Belarus, the European Parliament, together with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), convened the High-Level Conference "Belarus: Building Foundations for Democratic Change". This joint endeavour has offered a vital roadmap for hope, justice, and democratic renewal.

The European Parliament remains firmly committed to supporting this effort--by fostering open dialogue, strengthening cooperation with Belarusian democratic forces, and supporting their efforts to develop a comprehensive reform agenda for a future democratic Belarus.

We once again call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, and their full rehabilitation. Their continued imprisonment is a grave injustice. Their strength and determination inspire all who believe in freedom, justice, and human dignity.

The European Parliament will continue to seek accountability for the crimes committed by the regime--through sanctions, through international justice mechanisms, and through support for the documentation of violations. We will continue to stand by Belarusian democratic forces, independent journalists, human-rights defenders, and civil-society organisations working both inside the country and in exile.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

by Ms Małgorzata GOSIEWSKA, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus:

Mr Tomas TOBÉ, first Vice-Chair and Michał KOBOSKO, second Vice-Chair

Today we mark the 63rd birthday of Ales Bialiatski - a man whose life embodies courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom and human dignity. For more than four decades, Ales Bialiatski has been at the forefront of Belarus' struggle for democracy, inspiring not only his compatriots but also countless people across Europe and around the world.

When dictatorship deepened in Belarus during the 1990s, Ales Bialiatski refused to remain silent. In response to brutal crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators, he founded the Human Rights Centre "Viasna" to support political prisoners and their families. What began as an act of solidarity in a dark moment grew into one of the leading human rights organisations, documenting abuses, torture, and violations committed by the authorities.

The regime has tried repeatedly to silence him. In 2011, he was imprisoned on fabricated charges. In 2021, following mass protests against rigged presidential elections, he was arrested once again and remains unjustly imprisoned to this day.

Ales Bialiatski is one of only five laureates in history to have received the Nobel Peace Prize while imprisoned for his lawful activism and his fight for democracy and human rights. Together with "Viasna", he has been honoured with numerous international awards for his extraordinary contribution to the defence of human rights. Yet - despite this global recognition - his plight in Belarus remains far too little spoken of today.

Tragically, Ales Bialiatski is currently serving his sentence in Penal Colony No. 9 in Horki, Mahiliou region -- an institution notorious for its extremely harsh regime. We have no confirmation of his current state of health. He is held in total isolation - denied the right to correspondence and visits. His family, forced to flee Belarus due to political persecution, cannot send him parcels or provide financial support, deliberately subjecting him to cruel and degrading conditions. These measures are intended to break his spirit.

The European Parliament has long stood with Ales Bialiatski and with all those fighting for a democratic Belarus. In 2020, the Belarusian democratic opposition, with Ales Bialiatski among its leading figures, was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought -- a symbol of Europe's recognition of their courage and of our shared commitment to his cause. Since then, the Parliament has consistently demanded his release, condemned repression against civil society, and expressed solidarity with all political prisoners in Belarus.

On this day, we renew that call with full determination. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ales Bialiatski, along with all other political prisoners. The ongoing persecution, inhuman treatment, and silencing of Belarus' democratic voices are unacceptable.

Ales Bialiatski cannot celebrate his birthday today surrounded by family and friends. But he is not alone. His courage, dignity, and determination continue to inspire us all, and we pledge to carry his struggle forward - until the day Belarus regains its freedom.

Happy Birthday, Ales! Your bravery continues to light the way towards a brighter future!

For further information contact:

DROI Secretariat, tel. +32 2 2 283 09 60, e-mail: DROI-secretariat@europarl.europa.eu

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40, e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

After his recent release from prison, Mr Statkevich was forcibly taken to the border with Lithuania, where he refused deportation and chose to remain in his homeland. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown. The refusal of the Belarusian authorities to disclose his location and condition raises grave fears that he has once again been returned to detention.

This situation constitutes an enforced disappearance -- a gross violation of international law, as underlined by Amnesty International. The Delegation stresses that the Belarusian authorities bear full responsibility for Mr Statkevich's life and safety.

Mikalai Statkevich has long symbolised the courage, dignity, and determination of the Belarusian people in their struggle for freedom. His choice to remain with his people, despite years of imprisonment and torture, stands as a testament to true leadership and sacrifice.

The Delegation calls on the Belarusian authorities to:

• immediately disclose the whereabouts and condition of Mikalai Statkevich,
• guarantee his safety and freedom,
• end the practice of using political prisoners as bargaining chips,
• and unconditionally release all those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights.

We further urge the Belarusian authorities to put an end to the practice of forcibly deporting former political prisoners. All Belarusian citizens must be guaranteed the right to live and work freely in their own country. This requires the full rehabilitation of former political prisoners, an immediate end to their harassment and stigmatisation, and the provision of effective measures to support their reintegration into society.

The heart of a free Belarus continues to beat thanks to people like Mikalai Statkevich. His disappearance is not only an attack on one man but on the very hope of a democratic Belarus.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

Belarus today represents one of the harshest environments for media freedom in the world. According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, Belarus ranks 166th out of 180 countries. This alarming position reflects a system in which censorship, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests have become daily realities for those who dare to report independently.

In 2025, 37 Belarusian journalists like Mr Andrzej Poczobut and others remain unjustly behind bars, serving sentences simply for carrying out their profession. At the same time, 39 media organisations have been labelled "extremist formations," in a cynical attempt to criminalise independent reporting and cut society off from access to reliable information. Almost all national socio-political publications have been forced out of Belarus under the weight of repression and criminal prosecution. More than 30 outlets now operate from abroad.

Despite exile and displacement, the vast majority of these independent media have survived and continue their work, ensuring that the Belarusian people--and the world--still have access to truth and facts.

We stand in unwavering solidarity with the Belarusian journalists who continue to resist repression, often at great personal risk. Their courage embodies the values of freedom, dignity, and democracy. We call for the immediate release of all journalists and media workers unjustly imprisoned. We urge the Belarusian authorities to end the criminalisation of journalism and to cease the harassment of journalists, including those working in exile and their families who remain in Belarus.

We call on the Commission to continue supporting both independent Belarusian media in forced emigration as well as journalists -- victims of repression, and expand this support, taking into account the restrictions on assistance programs.

The voices of Belarusian journalists must not be silenced. Supporting them means defending the principles of free expression and democracy everywhere.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

List of Belarusian journalists currently in jail:

Katsiaryna Bakhvalava (Andreyeva)

Ihar Losik

Andrei Aliaksandrau

Dzianis Ivashyn

Andrzej Poczobut

Maryna Zolatava

Liudmila Chekina

Valeryia Kastsiuhova

Dzmitry Navazhylau

Iryna Slaunikava

Siarhei Satsuk

Kanstantsin Zalatykh

Pavel Mazheika

Yauhen Merkis

Andrei Famin

Larysa Shchyrakova

Pavel Padabed

Viachaslau Lazarau

Aliaksandr Mantsevich

Ales Sabaleuski

Aliaksandr Ihnatsiuk

Yauhen Hlushkou

Ales Marchanka

Volha Radzivonava

Anton Kazelski

Alena Tsimashchuk

Daniil Palianski

Yauhen Nikalayevich

Ihar Iliyash

Siarhei Chabotska

Workers of the Intex-press editorial office
Aleh Supruniuk

Palina Pitkevich*

* Source: BAJ and Spring96

- by Mr David McALLISTER, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)

- by Ms Małgorzata GOSIEWSKA, Chair, on behalf of the Bureau of the EP Delegation for Relations with Belarus, Mr Tomas TOBÉ, first Vice-Chair and Michał KOBOSKO, second Vice-Chair:

Brussels, 8 August 2025 - 9 August 2020 marked a day when the Belarusian people were denied the right to a democratic choice of a president, as the election results were falsified -- an act widely condemned by the international community. Despite widespread evidence and numerous testimonies indicating that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election, the Lukashenka regime refused to acknowledge her victory and unlawfully seized power.

In the five years that followed, the Lukashenka regime ruthlessly tightened its control over all aspects of public life. Democratic institutions have been dismantled, the voices of independent activists silenced, and peaceful protest criminalised. Thousands of Belarusians have been imprisoned, forced into exile, or subjected to ongoing political persecution. Civil society organisations, independent media, and cultural institutions have been shut down or forced to operate underground. Today, Belarus stands as one of the most repressive regimes worldwide.

The recent release of several political prisoners, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a leading opposition figure and activist, has brought relief and hope to many families. However, these isolated decisions must not be mistaken for genuine political change. The regime's repressive machinery remains intact and fully operational. Systemic persecution continues: thousands remain behind bars on politically motivated charges, often held in degrading conditions, and new arrests occur on a permanent basis. Some of those unlawfully detained have died in prison as a result of torture. Harsh laws continue to suppress freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The people of Belarus live under constant threat of surveillance, intimidation, and repression. Political activists in exile face arrest should they attempt to return, while those remaining in the country are denied their most basic rights. The regime has even taken relatives of some of them as hostages, attempting to exert pressure through fear and blackmail.

We strongly condemn the regime's ongoing and systematic violations of human rights, some of which, as noted in reports by the United Nations, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), may constitute crimes against humanity. The widespread use of torture, arbitrary detention, forced exile, and the repression of civil society, the media, and political opposition constitute serious breaches of international law and the fundamental principles of democracy. Accountability is essential. Impunity cannot be allowed to persist.

Russia's growing control over Belarus poses a serious threat to regional security and to Belarusian sovereignty. Over the past five years, the Lukashenka regime has become increasingly dependent on the Kremlin--politically, economically, and militarily--in exchange for continued support despite its domestic illegitimacy. This deepening dependency has significantly weakened Belarus's independence, effectively turning it into a satellite state of the Russian Federation. We strongly oppose any external interference in Belarusian affairs and reaffirm that the future of Belarus must be determined solely by its people.

We call on the European Union to maintain and strengthen pressure on the regime through targeted sanctions and effective international accountability mechanisms, including with regard to Belarus's complicity in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to a democratic and European future for Belarus. To that end, we will continue to work closely with Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, and international partners to support a peaceful transition based on democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. This includes sustained political, financial, and technical support for independent media, human rights defenders, and democratic actors--both in exile and those working under threat within the country.

The future of Belarus belongs to its people - not to an authoritarian regime, nor to any foreign power. We will continue to stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people in their struggle to build a free, sovereign, and democratic country.

Жыве Беларусь! Long live Belarus!

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu

This U.S.-brokered release offers hope for the more than 1,150 political prisoners who remain incarcerated in Belarus - many of whom are subjected to torture, solitary confinement, and other forms of ill-treatment. We commend the United States for its engagement and reaffirm that the unconditional release and full rehabilitation of all remaining political prisoners must remain a top priority for the international community.

Among those still imprisoned, independent journalists face some of the most severe repression. Belarus remains one of the most dangerous countries in Europe for media professionals. Independent media have been virtually eradicated--most outlets have been banned, blocked, or forced into exile. Journalists continue to face arbitrary detention, torture, long prison sentences, and forced displacement. All detained media workers are labelled as "persons involved in extremist activities," and several have been designated as "terrorists" by the KGB. Their families are routinely subjected to harassment, surveillance, and persecution.

We urge the Belarusian authorities to immediately end the persecution of independent journalists and to fulfil their international obligations by ensuring that all citizens can freely exercise their fundamental rights--particularly the freedoms of expression and assembly. Our thoughts are with the journalists who remain unjustly imprisoned for their courageous efforts to provide impartial, accurate information to the public, and we call for their immediate and unconditional release:

Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, Ihar Losik, Uladzimir Matskevich, Andrei Aliaksandrau, Dzianis Ivashyn, Andrzej Poczobut, Maryna Zolatava, Liudmila Chekina, Valeryia Kastsiuhova, Dzmitry Navazhylau, Iryna Slaunikava, Siarhei Satsuk, Kanstantsin Zalatykh, Pavel Mazheika, Yauhen Merkis, Dzmitry Semchanka, Andrei Famin, Larysa Shchyrakova, Pavel Padabed, Viachaslau Lazarau, Pavel Vinahradau, Aliaksandr Mantsevich, Ales Sabaleuski, Aliaksandr Ihnatsiuk, Yauhen Hlushkou, Ales Marchanka, Volha Radzivonava, Anton Kazelski, Alena Tsimashchuk, Daniil Palianski, Yauhen Nikalayevich, Ihar Ilyash, Siarhei Chabotska, Ruslan Raviaka, associates of the Intex-press editorial office, Aleh Supruniuk, and Palina Pitkevich.

For further information contact:

Eastern Partnership and Russia Unit, tel. +32 2 283 26 40 e-mail: D-BY@europarl.europa.eu