United States calls for release of over 1,500 Belarusian political prisoners

May 20, BPN. The United States condemns “the [Alaksandr] Łukašenka regime in Belarus for unjustly holding over 1,500 political prisoners,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said in a statement.

Released ahead of the day of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners observed on May 21, the statement notes numerous violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus. 

Regime critics face persecution for seeking democracy, protesting fraudulent elections and opposing Russia’s war on Ukraine, Blinken noted.

“Many of their trials were held behind closed doors, shielded from public scrutiny or accountability,” he said. “Their families, friends, coworkers, and others live every day with the thought of their loved ones suffering in jail.”

Recently, authorities have been keeping many prominent political prisoners incommunicado, depriving their families and lawyers of all contacts and withholding information on their whereabouts for months, Blinken said. “Sadly, most political prisoners’ names are not well known,” he added.

“The United States stands with the people of Belarus as they seek a future based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and an accountable, democratically elected government,” the statement stressed, urging Belarus’ authorities to release all political prisoners and meet their international obligations.

As of May 20, human rights groups identified at least 1,525 political prisoners in Belarus. However, their real number may be considerably higher because many victims are unable or unwilling to report their cases to human rights organizations.