I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States

We welcome the release of Siarhei Tsikhanouski and four other political prisoners from Belarus as well as nine citizens of third countries, including Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Sweden, thanks to US engagement.

Yet, large-scale politically motivated prosecution in Belarus continues. According to data gathered by independent human rights defenders, there are still almost 1200 political prisoners unjustly detained. Reports of appalling conditions of detention, isolation from families and lawyers, ill-treatment and torture, with no access to essential health services, are alarming.

The EU remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Belarus and strongly condemns 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. 

We reiterate our calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners in Belarus, for their effective rehabilitation, and for an end to further repression against all segments of Belarusian society.

Alignments: Andorra, Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Ukraine, and United Kingdom.