Belarusian NGOs ask EU and US to continue pressing on Lukashenka

Representatives of Belarusian public sphere and relatives of political prisoners ask the European countries and the United States not to have a dialogue with the Belarusian authorities until all political prisoners are released.

The statement was adopted at a round table discussion in Minsk on April 19, BelaPAN reports.

The statement signed by over 20 people says it's only due to the principled position and solidarity that former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov and his agent Zmitser Bandarenka were released.

“We state there are 16 political prisoners in the Republic of Belarus today. They are Mikalai Statkevich, Zmitser Dashkevich, Eduard Lobau, Syarhei Kavalenka, Ales Byalyatski,  Mikalai Autukhovich, Pavel Sevyarynets, Mikalai Dzyadok, Alyaksandr Frantskevich, Pavel Syramolatau, Artsyom Prakapenka, Yauheny Vaskovich, Yury Chyhileichyk, Alyaksandr Mauchanau and Alyaksandr Kruty. We appeal to all politicians of European countries and the United States: Do not stop, continue to be principled, do not have any dialogues with the regime until all political prisoners are released!” the document says.

“Political prisoners are hostages of the inhumane authoritarian regime of Lukashenka and objects of trade. We know they are being tortured, both physically and morally, and suffer from unprecedented pressure. It depends on a position of European and US politicians whether they will be released or left behind bars for long years. We urge you to be honest and firm in your efforts to free Belarusian political prisoners,” the statement reads.