The International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus sparked widespread support across Europe and beyond. Statements were issued by governments, MPs, diplomats, international organizations, and civil society representatives.
European institutions were particularly vocal. The European External Action Service (EEAS) published statements on X and Facebook. Expressions of support also came from the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Belarus, its Committee on Foreign Affairs, the ECR Group, and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for EU Enlargement and Neighbourhood. Statements were also issued by Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, and Christina Johannesson, Sweden’s Ambassador for the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
Foreign ministries and national governments voiced their solidarity through their channels. Among them: Latvia’s MFA, Government of Lithuania, Estonia’s MFA, Finland’s FM Elina Valtonen, Norway’s MFA, Sweden’s MFA, Romania’s MFA, Czech MFA, Poland’s OSCE Mission, France at the OSCE, UK Embassy in Belarus, and Canada’s Embassy in Poland. All called for the release of political prisoners and reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to democracy in Belarus.
National parliaments and individual MPs issued strong messages. Among them were: Björn Söder (Sweden), Helge Limburg (Germany), Armin Grau (Germany), Wendy Morton (UK), Frédéric Petit (France), Laurence Turner (UK), Britta Haßelmann (Germany), and Katrin Göring-Eckardt (Germany). In the US, Congressman Steve Cohen issued a detailed statement, supported by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
International and regional organizations also joined the call. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe issued a statement, alongside renowned human rights organisations: Article 19 Europe, Article 19 Global, Amnesty Austria, World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), and iSANS.
Numerous diplomats expressed their support. These included: Adam Hałaciński (Poland), Asta Andrijauskienė (Lithuania), Katrīna Kaktiņa (Latvia), and Marius Dirdal (Norway). Embassies also joined the campaign: Lithuania in Estonia, Latvia in Belarus, Poland in Minsk, and the EU Delegation to Belarus via Steen Nørlov.
Finally, the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg published a statement and post on X, affirming that Belarus has not been forgotten in the heart of Europe.
