ARTICLE 19 welcomes the release of 250 political prisoners in Belarus, including several human rights defenders, among them Nasta Lojka, Viasna’s Marfa Rabkova, and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Vice President Valiantsin Stefanovich, as well as journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva. This development underscores the impact of sustained international pressure and diplomatic engagement. However, it should not be interpreted as a positive shift in the authorities’ broader repressive policies. ARTICLE 19 also reiterates that all political prisoners in Belarus must be freed.
On 19 March 2026, news broke of the release of dozens of political prisoners, including key figures of the Belarusian democratic movement. We are encouraged to see that many of those we have long advocated for are now free and able to reunite with their families and friends.
Nasta Lojka spent over three years in prison for her human rights work and endured physical and psychological torture during repeated interrogations. Marfa Rabkova was violently detained for her work with the Viasna human rights group and spent more than five years in prison, with her health deteriorating due to lack of adequate medical care. Similarly, Valiantsin Stefanovich suffered serious health problems while serving a harsh sentence on politically motivated charges of ‘financing activities violating public order.’ Journalist Katsiaryna Andreeva was detained while covering the 2020 protests. Her reporting was used to convict her on bogus charges including ‘high treason’ and ‘violating public order’. There is no doubt that all charges against these activists and journalists were politically motivated and entirely unfounded.
This latest release of political prisoners follows another round of negotiations between Minsk and Washington. Reports indicate that these releases were linked to negotiations around sanctions relief, suggesting a transactional decision rather than a change in policy or respect for human rights by the regime in Minsk.
ARTICLE 19 Europe continues its calls for the immediate release of our former colleague and friend Andrei Aliaksandrau, and all those who remain imprisoned after enduring grave injustice and sham trials for exercising their fundamental rights.
ARTICLE 19 has been at the forefront of demanding justice and freedom for those defending fundamental rights in Belarus especially in the aftermath of the 2020 rigged presidential elections. Our message remains clear: the world must not forget, nor give up on, Belarus and its people. While the release of those unjustly detained is long overdue and welcome, it does not alter the systemic pattern of repression in Belarus, nor does it diminish the urgency of securing the freedom of all remaining political prisoners.