Accessibility links

Breaking News

U.S. Calls On Belarus To Release Political Prisoners


WASHINGTON -- The United States is calling on Belarus to release all of its “political prisoners” ahead of the fourth anniversary of a crackdown that resulted in the jailing of hundreds of opposition activists.

“We remember those who remain wrongly imprisoned and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Belarusian political prisoners,” U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a December 18 statement.

The statement came on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the arrest of hundreds of protesters in Belarus after a disputed presidential ballot that saw authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka reelected.

A U.S.-Belarus joint statement in December 2010 “acknowledges that enhanced respect for democracy and human rights remains essential to the progress of Belarus and its citizens, and is central to improving bilateral relations,” Psaki added.

  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG