EU and US Call for Release of Belarusian Political Prisoners

TALLINN, Estonia — On Friday, the European Union and the United States commemorated the fourth anniversary of significant protests in Belarus, urging the release of all political prisoners and expressing solidarity with the Belarusian populace. The protests erupted following the 2020 presidential election, widely regarded as fraudulent, which secured a sixth term for President Alexander Lukashenko. The aftermath saw unprecedented dissent and a severe government crackdown, resulting in over 35,000 arrests and widespread violence against demonstrators. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign affairs chief, reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to supporting the Belarusian democratic movement and civil society. He emphasized the EU's unity in advocating for a free and independent Belarus as part of a peaceful Europe. Human rights organization Viasna reported that since the protests began, approximately 65,000 individuals have been arrested, with ongoing arbitrary detentions and reports of torture and mistreatment in prisons. In response to the ongoing repression, the U.S. Embassy in Belarus echoed calls for the immediate release of political prisoners and reiterated support for the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. The international community's solidarity was further highlighted by recent sanctions imposed by the EU, Canada, and Britain against Belarusian officials implicated in human rights abuses. Borrell also announced the EU's commitment to provide up to 3 billion euros to support Belarus's economic stabilization and institutional reforms, contingent upon the country's transition to democracy.