The Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus prompted broad support around the world. Statements were issued by more than 40 governments, parliamentarians, diplomats, international organizations, and representatives of civil society.
European Parliament
“Today, we express our unwavering solidarity with more than 800 political prisoners and all those persecuted on political grounds who remain behind bars in Belarus. While the recent release of a number of detainees constitutes a positive and welcome development that brings relief to many families, it does not reflect a systemic change in the regime’s repressive policies. Politically motivated arrests, prosecutions, and convictions continue on a daily basis.
We therefore reiterate the European Parliament’s call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners held by the Belarusian regime, as well as for an end to the unlawful and reprehensible practice of forced expulsion of political prisoners and former detainees from their own country. Every Belarusian citizen must be guaranteed the fundamental right to live in freedom and security in their own homeland.
We further call for an end to all politically motivated criminal proceedings and for a full amnesty for all those convicted on such grounds, including guarantees enabling the safe and dignified return of those forced into exile. These steps must be irreversible and grounded in genuine respect for human rights, democratic freedoms, and the rule of law, as well as in a credible willingness to engage in dialogue with independent democratic actors and to support the foundations of a democratic transition in Belarus”.
https://x.com/ep_diplomacy/status/2057404811620855931
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/en/d-by/documents/communiques
Government of the United Kingdom
“While the recent releases of prisoners following U.S. efforts, most of whom were detained on politically motivated charges, are a welcome development, we are gravely concerned that many released individuals have been effectively forced into exile, often without valid identity documents, placing them in a particularly vulnerable legal situation and at risk of further human rights violations.
Furthermore, as the overall situation in Belarus does not show any signs of tangible improvement, we remain deeply concerned by the continued arbitrary arrests and persecution of individuals for exercising their human rights. As of May 20, Viasna estimates that there were at least 842 political prisoners in Belarus and that repression of all kinds continues unabated.
We condemn the inhuman conditions of detention, ill-treatment and torture, documented most recently by the UN Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus. In their report, the experts concluded that the Belarusian authorities have continued to systematically violate international human rights law and that there is a persistent lack of accountability for those responsible for the wrongdoing.
Our solidarity with all those who are subject to political and administrative repression in Belarus, and in exile, remains unwavering. We welcome the recent adoption of the Resolution on the situation of human rights in Belarus, which received a record level of support from members of the UN Human Rights Council, and we remain committed to further supporting the Belarusian people’s aspiration for a free, democratic, and independent Belarus”.
Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament
“Today in Belarus, people can be arrested for a social media comment, a photograph, or a word of sympathy. Hundreds of people continue to be imprisoned for their views, civic activism, or simply for showing solidarity with others facing persecution.
Repression is no longer limited to political opponents, journalists, and activists. Increasingly, their families are also being targeted through psychological pressure, intimidation, and constant surveillance. Testimonies coming from prisons speak of documented cases of torture and inhuman conditions. Many are held in isolation for months, without access to lawyers or relatives. Some have lost their lives in detention.
Today, we raise our voices on behalf of all those silenced in Belarusian prisons: for their release and an end to persecution, for the attention of the international community, for support for the victims of the regime. Solidarity is not a crime.
Silence, on the contrary, makes new repression possible”.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Lqrmy5t8V/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Robin Wagener, member of the German Bundestag
“Today is the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. In recent months, many prisoners have been released, including one of the leaders of the 2020 protests, Maria Kalesnikava. But despite these releases, more than 800 people are still unjustly imprisoned in Belarusian prisons — simply because they fought for freedom and democracy in their country.
We, the Greens, stand with these courageous people and demand their immediate and unconditional release. We also expect the German federal government to work toward the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.
Special thanks to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, who continues tirelessly in exile to keep Belarus on Europe’s political agenda.
Long live Belarus!”
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BEjxfT3mW/
Kajsa Ollongren, EU Special Representative for Human Rights
“Today, I am highlighting the cases of these 3 political prisoners in Belarus, who are over 70 years old. Show your support: share this post to call for their immediate and unconditional release”.
https://x.com/KajsaOllongren/status/2057202099029508275
https://x.com/KajsaOllongren/status/2057495934137704787
European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights
“We remember those who lost their lives due to persecution or behind bars — among them Vitold Ashurak — and do not forget the more than 800 Belarusians still imprisoned for their political opinions”
https://x.com/EP_HumanRights/status/2057446572699328740
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
“For the fifth year, we mark the Day of Political Prisoners in Belarus. While some have been freed, 848 people remain unjustly imprisoned for speaking freely, defending human rights, and believing in a democratic future. Since 2020, nine political prisoners have died behind bars due to torture and inhuman conditions.
Behind every political prisoner is a family waiting, hoping, and enduring unimaginable pain. We stand in solidarity with all those unjustly detained and call for their immediate and unconditional release and rehabilitation. Accountability, targeted sanctions, and sustained international pressure are urgently needed. They must not be forgotten”.
https://x.com/MFAestonia/status/2057353193173008759
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden
“Today marks the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Sweden stands with all those held on politically motivated charges for peacefully exercising their human rights, and calls for their immediate release”.
https://x.com/SweMFA/status/2057473299530105127?s=20
Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland
“Today is the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Arbitrary arrests and oppression of human rights activists and journalists continue. We remember and fight for them and support the work of the democratic forces and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya”.
https://x.com/elinavaltonen/status/2057361277190631766
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
“Today we mark the Day of Solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus. Over 845 people remain behind bars as repression continues. We call for their immediate release and an end to persecution”.
https://x.com/CzechMFA/status/2057390364969828642
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
“On May 21, 2021, the Lukashenka regime killed Belarusian political prisoner Vitold Ashurak. Five years later, nine political prisoners have died in detention, more than 800 political prisoners remain imprisoned in Belarus, and new arrests continue to take place regularly.
On the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we express our firm support for all those unjustly imprisoned in Belarus. We call on the Belarusian regime to end its repression against its own people and to release all political prisoners”.
https://x.com/Latvian_MFA/status/2057386164055662655
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway
“Norway stands in solidarity with all Belarusians subjected to political repression. While recent releases offer hope, more than 800 political prisoners remain behind bars. We call for their immediate and unconditional release and an end to repression”.
https://x.com/NorwayMFA/status/2057444215647351231
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
“Today, on the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we stand with those unjustly detained. We welcome the recent releases, but many remain imprisoned in harsh conditions. The Netherlands calls for the immediate & unconditional release of all political prisoners”.
https://x.com/DutchMFA/status/2057528781980533004
Rasa Juknevičienė, MEP
“Dear Belarusians,
Since 2020, through your courage and struggle — and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s work — Belarus is back on Europe’s political agenda.
On the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, my message is clear:
Your efforts for democratic Belarus help Ukraine”.
https://x.com/RJukneviciene/status/2057704903653417335
Wendy Morton, member of the UK Parliament
“On the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we stand with all those unjustly imprisoned by the Lukashenka regime for defending freedom and democracy”.
https://x.com/morton_wendy/status/2057490549259513859?s=20
Thomas Byrne, Minister of European Affairs and Defense of Ireland
“On International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, my thoughts are with those unjustly imprisoned by the Lukashenko regime.
Proud to stand with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and all those who defend freedom, democracy and the Rule of Law for the people of Belarus”.
https://x.com/ThomasByrneTD/status/2057544576382926924
Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
“On International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners, we remember all those unjustly detained for standing up for freedom and democracy. The EU EESC stands with Belarusian political prisoners. Looking forward to welcoming you soon at the EESC, dear Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya”.
https://x.com/EESC_President/status/2057451723006857438
Embassy of the United Kingdom in Belarus
Steen Noerlov, Head of the EU Delegation to Belarus
Asta Andrijauskienė, Chargé d’Affaires of Lithuania
“Today is the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Since 2021, nine political prisoners have lost their lives. More than 840 remain imprisoned. We call for the release of all political prisoners”.
https://x.com/AstaAndr/status/2057371709938794803
https://x.com/AstaAndr/status/2057370991689380231
https://x.com/EUHoDBelarus/status/2057385913710268832
https://x.com/UKinBelarus/status/2057386414854348871?s=20
Embassy of Ireland in Vilnius
“Today is the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Since 2021, nine political prisoners have lost their lives. More than 840 remain imprisoned. We call for the release of all political prisoners”.
https://x.com/IrishEmbVilnius/status/2057385917141471447
Séadhna MacHugh, Ambassador of Ireland in Vilnius
“Today is the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Since 2021, 9 political prisoners have died in detention and 840 remain imprisoned. All must be released. Ireland stands in solidarity with all who are unjustly detained and with their loved ones”.
https://x.com/IrishAmbVilnius/status/2057411285348688338
Embassy of Canada to Poland
“On today’s International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we remember those who have died in detention since 2021 and call for the immediate and unconditional release and rehabilitation of those still detained”.
https://x.com/CanadaPoland/status/2057386071852249557?s=20
Embassy of Poland to the Holy See
“For the fourth time, on 21 May, to mark the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, on the initiative of Lithuanian and Polish Ambassadors to the Holy See Sigita Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė and Adam Kwiatkowski, a Holy Mass for the prisoners was held at the Church of the Resurrection in Rome”.
https://x.com/PLinVatican/status/2057730965275902426
European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Committee of the Regions
“Standing with the people of Belarus. Today, we remember Belarus’ political prisoners — and we honor their courage and suffering. Freedom and dignity must never be silenced”.
https://x.com/ECR_CoR/status/2057382572011778057?s=20
Angela Saar-Raaman, Estonian diplomat
“Today we stand with the political prisoners of Belarus and all those punished for choosing freedom. As Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski said: “If it were not for the sanctions, I would not be standing here before you today”.
https://x.com/SaarRaaman/status/2057432951684522375
Björn Söder, member of the Swedish Riksdag
“Today, we stand in solidarity with the political prisoners of Belarus! This day was established in memory of prominent activist Vitold Ashurak, who died in Lukashenka’s prison on 21 May 2021”.
https://x.com/BjornSoder/status/2057449710491758896
Permanent Delegation of Sweden to the OSCE
“The OSCE Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus marks the Day of Solidarity w Political Prisoners in Belarus & calls for immediate & unconditional release of ALL political prisoners. Recent releases are a welcome development, but many of those released have been forced into exile”.
https://x.com/SwedeninATOSCE/status/2057446974266216850
Committee to Protect Journalists Europe and Central Asia
“On the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately release the 21 journalists who are still languishing in prison and to stop imprisoning members of the press in retaliation for their work, as well as targeting journalists in exile and intimidating their family members”.
https://x.com/CPJ_Eurasia/status/2057446313071919435
https://x.com/CPJ_Eurasia/status/2057476453407617121
George W. Bush Presidential Center
“Political prisoners around the world deserve our attention. Today, the Bush Institute recognizes International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. David J. Kramer, Executive Director of the Bush Institute explains why we must strive for equality around the world and uplift pro-democracy advocates like Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Learn more about political prisoners in Belarus today”.
https://x.com/TheBushCenter/status/205746267491343615
European Commission’s Directorate-General for EU Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood
“Today, we stand with the over 840 political prisoners still behind bars in Belarus. We remain committed to supporting victims of repression and human rights in Belarus. Our position is clear: every political detainee must be freed unconditionally and live without intimidation”.
https://x.com/eu_enlargement_/status/2057479231131541821
Congressional Ukraine Caucus
“Today, the Ukraine Caucus recognizes International Day of Solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus. We stand with the 842+ political prisoners, including 21 journalists unjustly held and welcome efforts by the Administration to secure their release from the Lukashenka regime”.
https://x.com/UkraineCaucus/status/2057508499618177238
Damon M. Wilson, President and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy
“841 people in Belarus remain behind bars just for exercising their fundamental freedoms. Today, on International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we stand with them, their families and friends, and all our partners courageously pushing for a free Belarus at great personal risk”.
https://x.com/DamonMacWilson/status/2057556689654555104
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, US House of Representatives
“Today marks the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. We stand in solidarity with the 21 Belarusian journalists currently jailed for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of opinion and expression. We call on their immediate and unconditional release”.
https://x.com/TLHumanRights/status/2057573953724440856
PEN International
“On the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we stand with the 122 cultural figures, including 24 writers, jailed or under house arrest for their peaceful expression. Find out more in the latest report”.
Index on Censorship
“Today, on International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we renew our call for the release of journalist and former Index colleague Andrei Aliaksandrau.
Jailed for supporting peaceful protesters, he remains imprisoned in a penal colony. He must be freed”.
https://x.com/IndexCensorship/status/2057374790701154444?s=20
Libereco
“Tomorrow, 21 May, marks the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. Small acts of solidarity can become real support for people whose voices are meant to be silenced. Here is what you can do:
Buy the Belarusian mythology book or a signed Irdorath BY CD. Your purchase supports politically persecuted Belarusians in need of legal assistance in Germany.
Donate €5. Every euro helps us provide concrete legal support.
Share this post. Be a voice for Belarusians behind bars.
Solidarity crosses borders — and prison walls”.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/westandbyyou-ugcPost-7462824168275730432-LDPq
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/westandbyyou-ugcPost-7463168686946713600-BuE6
Freedom House
“Freedom House remains unwavering in our support for Belarusian political prisoners and their families. We stand with them during their unjust detention, work to keep a spotlight on their cases, and stand with them upon release.
More than 800 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus. We commend Special Envoy John Coale and DAS Smith for their tremendous efforts to secure the release of hundreds of brave individuals over the past year, and we stand ready to support those still unjustly detained. The Lukashenka regime’s repression of the Belarusian people must end”.
https://x.com/freedomhouse/status/2057470216796549215
Finn Right International
“Finn Right International calls for an end to arbitrary detention and the immediate release of Belarusian journalists Ihar Ilyash, Dzianis Ivashyn, and Andrej Valerievich Aliaksandraŭ, as well as all 845 political prisoners currently detained in Belarus”.
https://x.com/FinnRight/status/2057448809106444781
Freedom Now
“This International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we reiterate our call for the immediate release of Dzyanis Ivashyn. He has been unlawfully detained since March 2021 and is serving a 13-year sentence for his investigative journalism”.
