May 21, Pozirk. Article 19, a rights group based in the United Kingdom, has urged the international community to demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus and increase pressure on Alaksandar Łukašenka and his officials
“Despite ongoing repression, Belarusians continue to fight, inspire us, and remain determined to achieve meaningful change. . . ARTICLE 19 proudly stands with Belarusians – both inside the country and in exile – and remains committed to defending their cause,” says the statement released on Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Rights defenders set it up in memory of Belarusian dissident Vitold Ašurak, who died on May 21 behind bars four years ago.
“There have always been political prisoners in Belarus, but the current situation is a large-scale tragedy. Year after year, the regime throws people in prisons, sacrifices them to intimidate the nation and hold on to power,” Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said today in a video address.
As of May 21, human rights defenders identified at least 1,189 political prisoners but the real number is considerably higher because many cases go undocumented.
