Rights defenders confirm release of 16 political prisoners

July 5, Pozirk. The Viasna Human Rights Center says it has information about three women and 13 men who were either pardoned or released under an amnesty program.
One of the released is Ryhor Kastusioŭ, the leader of the outlawed Belarusian Popular Front (BPF), who was diagnosed with cancer in prison. Another one is a mother of four, according to Pozirk.
Rights defenders do not disclose the names of the released to ensure their safety.
Two days ago, Alaksandar Łukašenka announced the release of his critically ill opponents and signed the amnesty law marking the 80th anniversary of Belarus’ liberation from the Nazis. The law does not apply to prisoners on the extremism register.
Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja welcomed the move, drawing attention to the plight of more than 200 political prisoners from the so-called humanitarian list, whose prolonged detention places their lives under threat.
The United States and the European Union called on Minsk to release all political prisoners.
“We are relieved by the news that they finally reunited with their families and loved ones,” said the EU External Action Service.
“There are still more than 1400 political prisoners in Belarus, including prisoners without any possibility to communicate with those outside for indefinite periods of time, with serious health issues, disabilities, over the age of 60, minors and people with mental illnesses. Some of these detainees require urgent medical assistance and have life threatening conditions.”

Washington calls for release of all political prisoners in Belarus
- EconomyLibyan delegation in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUpper house approves fines for vegetable shortagesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Belarusians should be grateful to his government for staying out warThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyWoman killed by hit-and-run Belarusian in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsFour more people recognized as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsUpper house passes bill to ban “extremists” from educationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBelarusian universities to offer 1,000 tuition-free places for Russians this yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- SocietyPoland seizes medical products from Belarus with Interpol involvementThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyKuźniacoŭ replaces Jafimaŭ as industry ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsRights defenders label seven as political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLukašenka appoints ambassadors to Africa, Middle East, Latin AmericaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsŁukašenka appoints more than a dozen local officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyMPs vote to criminalize unauthorized possession of dronesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsPaźniak: Washington can pull Belarus away from RussiaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- SecurityBelarus to open six new border outpostsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityLithuania detects irregular migration at Belarus border after days of calmThe material is available only to POZIRK+