US says Belarusian authorities continued shameful actions against the people in 2022

December 30, BPN. “Unfortunately, in 2022, Belarusian authorities continued to implement shameful, repressive actions against the Belarusian people and directly facilitated Russia’s unprovoked, illegal war in Ukraine,” the U.S. Department of State has told BPN, summing up the year.

“The United States has long supported a sovereign, democratic, and prosperous Belarus, and that commitment will remain unwavering in the new year and beyond. It is firmly rooted in the values of our nation,” it said.

“The United States continues to coordinate closely with our Allies and global partners to insist on the immediate and unconditional release of all the more than 1,400 political prisoners in Belarusian detention centers. We further continue to call on Belarusian authorities to end the repression of the Belarusian public, and to embark on a path of dialogue with all elements of Belarusian society, including the democratic opposition, to find a way out of the current political impasse,” it added.

Washington is concerned about “the rise in prosecutions and lengthy prison sentences for Belarusian political prisoners, as well as the recent start of politically-motivated trials in absentia.”

“Moving into the new year, our support for the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus will remain as strong as ever, and we will continue to partner with all elements of Belarusian democratic forces, civil society, and independent media to achieve those goals,” the state department said.