38 OSCE Member States Called For The Release Of All Political Prisoners In Belarus

"The courage of the Belarusian people has not been forgotten."

At the OSCE meeting, the UK and 37 other countries issued a joint statement calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus and an end to the large-scale repression of civil society, independent media and opposition.

The statement was delivered by a Canadian representative on behalf of the "Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus," which includes EU countries, the UK, Ukraine, as well as Canada and Norway. Albania, Andorra, Austria, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia, San Marino, Switzerland and Andorra also joined the initiative.

Despite the release of several hundred political prisoners since July 2024, thousands of people remain behind bars for political reasons. Many are tortured, kept in isolation and deprived of medical care. According to human rights activists, nine political prisoners have already died in prison.

"When some are released, others end up behind bars. This endless cycle must be broken," the statement reads.

The document also stresses that the Lukashenko regime's support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the use of the migration crisis as a tool of pressure on its neighbors demonstrate Minsk's disregard for international security and OSCE commitments.

The initiating countries said that "the courage of the Belarusian people has not been forgotten" and expressed unwavering support for the aspirations of Belarusian citizens for a free, democratic and independent country.

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