The latest release of political prisoners does not negate the main demand: freedom for all

Today, December 13, it was announced that 123 political prisoners were released in Belarus. Among those released are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, former banker Viktar Babaryka, Maryia Kalesnikava, Maksim Znak, Pavel Seviarynets, TUT.BY editor-in-chief Maryna Zolatava, political scientist Aliaksandr Fiaduta, human rights activist Uladzimir Labkovich, Alena Hnauk, and others. Among them is Maksim Senik, a member of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union.

Ales Bialiatski

Of those released, 114 were forcibly taken to Ukraine. Ales Bialiatski and seven foreign citizens from Lithuania, Latvia, Australia, Japan, Poland, and the United States were taken to Lithuania.

Upon arrival in Vilnius, Ales Bialiatski gave his first comment, describing the conditions of his release:

“I was driven across Belarus blindfolded. I was held near Gorki, 14 kilometers from the Russian border. My head is still spinning.”

The Salidarnast e.V. association welcomes the release of Belarusian political prisoners. We are sincerely glad that people who were illegally deprived of their freedom have finally been released. At the same time, we emphasize that this is not a humane gesture, but a continuation of the practice of deportations and bargaining with human destinies.

We insist on the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners who remain in Belarusian prisons, including trade union leaders and labour movement activists.

We also demand an end to repression, the abolition of forced expulsion, and the restoration of fundamental human rights, freedom of association, and the activities of independent trade unions in Belarus.

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