“Various human rights organizations estimate the number of political prisoners in Belarus to be at least 1,439 now (Viasna Human Rights Center’s estimate), with thousands more people not recognized as political prisoners though convicted on political grounds. This number grows by about a hundred people monthly. Behind bars, people face humiliation of their human dignity and unbearable conditions of detention; these conditions have already led to several deaths. There is a humanitarian list of those who are in critical condition right now and have no access to treatment.
Achieving the release of political prisoners is one of our key priorities. We support every initiative and group defending the rights of political prisoners and bringing the voices of their families together.
We are always ready for dialogue with all concerned parties, including negotiations with representatives of the regime on the conditions of detention and/or release of political hostages. We are raising all possible contacts and platforms to start this dialogue.
We are willing to consider any form of negotiations if it may contribute to the release of political prisoners and resolving other humanitarian problems related to political prisoners. This could be informal contacts as well as negotiations on international platforms with external mediation. Mediator states or other organizations with credibility and authority could back compliance with the agreements.
The United Transitional Cabinet now has a Representative for Social Issues, Volha Harbunova. Volha will coordinate the efforts on resolving the problems of political prisoners while endorsing a proactive notion on these issues, including the possible negotiations on their release.
We are open to discussing steps and arrangements that would end new arrests and politically motivated criminal prosecutions. We are willing to work for the release of anyone and everyone who has suffered for their political position. As well as to create conditions for people forced to flee repression to safely return to Belarus”.
