On 30 and 31 March, ARTICLE 19 had the honour of hosting Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, founder of Viasna Human Rights Centre, and a key symbol of Belarusians’ fight for freedom and democracy.
Bialiatski has dedicated his life to promoting human rights and has driven numerous crucial civil society initiatives in Belarus. For his public interest work, he has been imprisoned twice. He was most recently released on 13 December 2025, alongside over 100 other political prisoners, following an agreement with the United States involving the lifting of certain sanctions on the Belarusian potash sector.
During his visit, we met with Tom Berendsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, as well as representatives from Dutch civil society. Notably, Bialiatski was the first representative of Belarus to meet the current Minister since he took office in February. He also met with Kati Piri, a member of GroenLinks-PvdA, the biggest opposition party in the current term in the Dutch House of Representatives. Kati Piri has long been vocal about the need to support Belarus and Belarusians in the Netherlands.
In addition, together with the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, we hosted a public event where Ales shared his experience and insights with a large audience. He addressed key questions, including how civil society can continue to defend human rights when repression becomes the norm, and what role international partners can play in ensuring that struggles for freedom are not forgotten.
Ales Bialiatski accepted ARTICLE 19 Europe’s invitation to hold a series of meetings in The Hague, reiterating that the human rights situation in Belarus remains dire and that democratic transformation in the country is essential for long-term peace and stability in the region.
A central message of his visit was clear: no one should be misled by the recent release of some political prisoners. While we are glad that these people are free, these moves are transactional, driven by Belarus’s difficult economic situation and its increasing dependence on Russia. Political prisoners have effectively been exchanged for sanctions relief, including measures affecting the Belarusian potash sector and the national airline, Belavia. Bialiatski himself made a rather grim remark that he had been basically ‘traded for 100 kilos of potash’.
We must not be deceived by the illusion of quick diplomatic wins. Lifting sanctions against the regime of Alexander Lukashenko has not worked in the past: repression and the broader machinery of state violence remain fully intact. As some individuals were released, others were simultaneously arrested.
Beyond advocating for the release of political prisoners, we must prioritise the complete end of systemic repression in Belarus. This is the core challenge and the essential long-term objective. We must remain patient and avoid being swayed by the false promise of easy gains, which risk perpetuating cycles of violence.
It is also crucial to recognise that many so-called ‘releases’ are in fact forced deportations. Former political prisoners are expelled from the country, often without the opportunity to see their families. Their passports are cancelled, and the mistreatment they endured in detention continues in different forms outside prison. The situation in Belarus is not improving; on the contrary, it is deteriorating and is now worse than it has been in years.
International support is needed more than ever. To send a strong message of solidarity and to keep Belarus high on the international agenda. There can be no lasting stability in the region without a free and democratic Belarus. This is also essential for securing future peace in Ukraine and countering the Kremlin’s continued efforts to destabilise Europe.
The European Union must employ a principled approach, not a transactional one, and maintain its sanctions. They are effective, as demonstrated by the recent releases. At the same time, Belarusians must be included in high-level regional discussions. With around one million Belarusians currently living abroad, the diaspora holds invaluable knowledge, data, and expertise that should be meaningfully integrated into policymaking, advocacy, and diplomatic efforts.
Together with Ales Bialiatski, we welcome the recent decision by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into the ‘Situation in Lithuania/Belarus’ concerning alleged crimes against humanity. The investigation focuses on forced deportations and persecution of Belarusian opposition members since 1 May 2020 and may reach the highest levels of government. Supporting the ICC and this investigation is of critical importance.
Despite operating under extremely challenging conditions, Belarusian civil society continues its work in exile. Organisations remain closely connected to people inside the country, providing reliable information, countering state propaganda and censorship, and ensuring that advocacy efforts reflect the realities on the ground.
After spending four and a half years in prison under harsh conditions, enduring repeated searches and degrading treatment, Bialiatski remains remarkably resilient. He has retained his calm, determination, and, most importantly, a sense of optimism. Despite ongoing repression, his words convey a belief in a better future – an optimism we should carry forward in our work. Persistence and focus remain essential.
ARTICLE 19 Europe will continue to stand with civil society, advocating for systemic democratic change and an end to repression. Until a free and democratic Belarus becomes a reality.
