Belarus continues brutal crackdown amid releases of political prisoners

In Belarus, the authorities have managed a sustained crackdown on dissent even while pardoning some political prisoners. Last month, the government released 14 prisoners, but rights groups reported that politically motivated arrests continued, with at least 60 individuals arrested following these pardons. Pavel Sapelka, a rights advocate from the Viasna human rights center, emphasized that approximately 1,174 individuals remain imprisoned under political charges. This pattern of repression has roots in the violent response to widespread protests that began in 2020 following a contested election in which President Alexander Lukashenko was accused of cheating to secure a sixth term. The crackdown has drawn international condemnation, leading to sanctions from the U.S. and the EU. Despite releasing a few prisoners, including prominent opposition figure Siarhei Tsikhanouski, the Belarusian authorities continue to showcase ongoing repression, with new high-profile cases surfacing. Activist groups like Viasna and individuals such as Nils Muižnieks from the UN have stressed that conditions for political dissenters in Belarus have not improved. In recent developments, a notable former journalist, Ihar Karnei, who was imprisoned by the KGB, described the inhumane conditions in Belarusian jails, adding that many political prisoners, encompassing journalists notable for opposing the government, endure severe mistreatment. Statistical data from Viasna illustrates that namely 38 journalists and 8 political prisoners have lost their lives behind bars. Karnei's ordeal reflects the broader pattern of repression, characterized by mass arrests and the brutal treatment of dissenters since the 2020 presidential elections. Reports indicate that participation in peaceful protests could lead to severe consequences, creating an atmosphere of fear that grips the nation.