UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with Group of Independent Experts on Belarus. Delivered by the UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
While we welcome the recent release of some political prisoners in Belarus, we remain gravely concerned. As the Group of Experts has highlighted, the regime continues to violate human rights on a systematic scale through arbitrary arrests, widespread repression, and the silencing of dissent.
Dissidents, civil society activists, journalists, human rights defenders and lawyers are still being prosecuted under the false pretext of combating extremism and terrorism.
Despite these recent releases, around 1,100 political prisoners remain behind bars. As we have heard already today, many are held in isolation. Many suffer mistreatment. And many are denied even basic medical care.
In response, the United Kingdom has sanctioned over 200 individuals and 12 entities for their role in these abuses and for Belarus's continued support of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
We will not waver in our support for Belarusian civil society and human rights defenders.
To the representatives of Belarus, we say: release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally. Prioritise those with health conditions, disabilities, the elderly, and parents separated from their children. Ensure their rehabilitation. And guarantee fair and humane treatment for all detainees.
