EU Special Representative for Human Rights: prisoners in Belarus whose health or lives are at risk should be released on humanitarian grounds

On 21 May, the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren called on the Belarusian authorities to release on humanitarian grounds those political prisoners whose health or lives are at risk.

The Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus was established by the Belarusian ‘Viasna’ Human Rights Centre in exile in 2022, on the first anniversary of the death of the political prisoner Vitold Ashurak. Ashurak died in the Škloŭ penal colony No. 17 on 21 May 2021. Over time, this day has become an annual human rights and international campaign.

Kajsa Ollongren posted on X that since 21 May 2021 at least eight other political prisoners have died in detention in Belarus.

“Their deaths highlight the acute risks faced by political prisoners in vulnerable situations – those whose continued incarceration poses an immediate threat to their health or life. All such individuals should be released on humanitarian grounds,” Kajsa Ollongren said.

In another post on X, she named all nine political prisoners in Belarus with severe health conditions.

The EU Special Representative for Human Rights also highlighted the cases of three political prisoners in Belarus, who are over 70 years old, and three political prisoners who were under 18 years old at the time of detention (or allegedly committing acts).

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Kajsa Ollongren post on X