EU Statement on the recent release of political prisoners in Belarus

1. While we welcome the recent release of 28 political prisoners in Belarus, we continue to be concerned about the fate of at least 863 political prisoners (according to Viasna Human Rights Center), still unjustly detained under appalling conditions, in isolation from families and lawyers, subjected to ill-treatment and torture, with no access to essential health services.

2. We also express our concern about new arrests and re-arrests and restrictions on the rights and freedoms of those who have been released. 

3. We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and strongly condemn the continuing persecution and intimidation campaigns against all segments of Belarusian society, including human rights defenders, journalists, independent trade unionists, civil society representatives and persons belonging to national minorities by the Belarusian regime.

4. We consequently reiterate our calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners in Belarus, for their effective rehabilitation, and urge the authorities to bring an end to repression. 

The following countries aligned with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.