On the recent release of prisoners in Belarus

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU and its Member States.

1. We welcome the recent releases of political prisoners in Belarus, including EU citizens. We appreciate the engagement of our American partners. 

2. We are concerned about the fate of the Belarusian citizen, Mikalai Statkevich, who refused forced exile following the release.

3. Accordingto independent Belarusian Human Rights Defenders there are still at least 1,182 political prisoners unjustly detained under appalling conditions, in isolation from families and lawyers, subjected to ill-treatment and torture, with no access to essential health services.

4. The EU remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Belarus and strongly condemns the continuing persecution and intimidation campaigns against all segments of Belarusian society, including human rights defenders, journalists, independent trade unionists, civil society representatives and persons belonging to national minorities by the Belarusian regime. 

5. We reiterate our calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners in Belarus, for their effective rehabilitation, and for an end to further repression against all segments of Belarusian society. 

Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom aligned themselves with the statement.