Belarus’ Political Prisoner Releases: Humanitarian Gesture or Strategic Move?
In September, ahead of Belarus’s newly established National Unity Day, Belarusian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed a decree pardoning 37 individuals convicted of “extremist crimes.” This is the fourth wave of political prisoner releases since July, bringing the total to 115 men and women. However, it is only a small fraction of the estimated 1,300 political prisoners currently incarcerated for their political views. Many are on the humanitarian list, requiring immediate release due to health, age or other reasons.
The repressions in Belarus, which began in 2020 after the controversial presidential elections, have resulted in over 300,000 people fleeing the country. This situation has drawn significant international attention, with human rights organisations, Nobel laureates and members of the European Parliament (MEPs) advocating for amnesty.
The first acquittals this year officially took place under the “Law on Amnesty in Connection with the 80th Anniversary of Belarus’s Liberation from Nazi Occupation.” Since then, there has been a prisoner exchange involving Russia, Belarus and Western countries, followed by another decree pardoning 30 people “convicted of protest-related offenses.” Grigory Kostusev, leader of the opposition party Belarusian People’s Front, who suffers from cancer and had been sentenced to a 10-year prison term, is among those now on parole.
According to Belarusian authorities, all pardoned individuals “admitted their guilt, sincerely repented of their actions and committed to leading a law-abiding life.” After their release, the former prisoners will be under the control of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, except for German citizen Rico Krieger, who had previously been sentenced to death in Belarus but was allowed to return to Germany after the prisoner exchange. However, the release process has not prevented ongoing repressions, with new arrests and trials taking place almost daily. Well-known political figures, including Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Mikola Statkevich, Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava, remain incommunicado.
Calls for amnesty: Nobel laureates and European Parliament responses
Earlier this year, a group of Nobel laureates made their first public appeal to EU leaders, calling for the release of political prisoners in Belarus. The letter, signed by prominent figures, urged European countries to prioritise human rights over commercial interests. The signatories emphasised that the economic goals of EU nations should not take precedence over their duty to protect innocent people who have become victims of the Belarusian regime. Additionally, they stressed the importance of defending the rights not only of Belarusians but also of national minorities, who continue to face severe discrimination under the current government.
Later in the year, the same group of Nobel laureates addressed an open letter to Lukashenka, expressing cautious approval of recent developments in Belarus. In their letter, they acknowledged these early steps as a positive move toward addressing human rights concerns in the country, though the broader context of continued repression remained a pressing issue. The message conveyed the hope that these initial actions would pave the way for more comprehensive reforms and the eventual release of all political prisoners.
The European Parliament has now also adopted a resolution addressing the worsening conditions of political prisoners in Belarus. The resolution expresses deep concern over the treatment of many prisoners, particularly those who have been deprived of communication with the outside world for extended periods, often for months or even years. Many of these individuals are reported to be suffering from severe health issues due to prolonged isolation, mistreatment and, in some cases, torture. The European Parliament calls on Belarusian authorities to provide transparent information about the conditions of political prisoners and to grant access for lawyers, family members and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The resolution also highlights broader concerns about political repression in Belarus, noting that since 2020, around 300,000 Belarusians have been forced to flee the country to escape persecution. MEPs urged the European Union to strengthen sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for these repressions. Furthermore, they emphasised the need to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its human rights violations and to apply the principle of universal jurisdiction in seeking justice for the crimes committed.
Lukashenka’s strategy: humanitarian gesture or political calculation?
Are these amnesties a genuine humanitarian gesture or part of a calculated political strategy? Lukashenka’s actions appear to serve dual purposes, directed both at domestic and international audiences. Internally, the releases may signal the start of the presidential election campaign for 2025, with Lukashenka seeking to improve his image as a more humane and benevolent leader. The deaths of political prisoners in Belarusian prisons have reportedly caused discomfort even among his supporters, compelling him to bring this issue to the forefront. At the same time, the fact that Belarusians continue to be arrested for political reasons is intended as a signal to Belarusian society that the course of transition from authoritarianism to totalitarianism is irreversible and that repressions will continue.
Externally, Lukashenka seeks recognition of the 2025 presidential election results from Western countries, viewing amnesty as a subject for bargaining with the European Union. By releasing a limited number of political prisoners, he is testing the West’s willingness to engage in negotiations. However, these gestures have thus far failed to yield the expected diplomatic response. The general tone is reflected in the statements of the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, Peter Stano. According to the statement, the EU acknowledged the release of several political prisoners in Belarus, noting that these individuals had been convicted for participating in peaceful protests following the widely disputed 2020 presidential elections. However, the EU also urged Belarusian authorities to go further, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners.
Indeed, the West’s conditions for normalising relations with Belarus remain clear: Belarus must stop supporting Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, release all political prisoners, and conduct free and fair elections. Lukashenka’s unwillingness to fulfil these conditions presents a fundamental obstacle to improving relations. This divergence between the priorities of Belarus and the West — a ‘mismatch between supply and demand’ — continues to hinder any meaningful resolution.
Conclusion
The recent pardoning of political prisoners in Belarus, while seemingly a step forward, remains a tactical manoeuvre by Lukashenka rather than a genuine humanitarian gesture. While the pardons have been framed domestically as compassionate acts, they are overshadowed by the fact that over 1,300 political prisoners remain incarcerated, and ongoing repressions show no signs of easing. Lukashenka’s releases, which target a Western audience, appear aimed at testing whether symbolic gestures can ease sanctions or improve diplomatic relations with the West. However, given the deeper issues — such as Belarus’ support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the crackdown on dissent — the West is unlikely to engage meaningfully without more substantial changes. The releases, while a signal, are too small to reverse Belarus’s deepening isolation or to change the perception of Lukashenka as a leader entrenched in repressions. Yet the overture reflects Minsk’s discomfort with total dependence on Moscow and hints at Lukashenka’s desire to maintain some degree of autonomy, especially with the upcoming 2025 presidential elections. Whether this manoeuvre succeeds or not remains to be seen, but the road to normalised relations with the West is long and fraught with obstacles.
Call for action!
Every year it becomes more challenging to support political prisoners. The authorities are determined to break the solidarity of Belarusians and block opportunities to support those who are in prison. In the face of numerous restrictions imposed on political prisoners, several human rights organisations like Viasna have gathered possible ways to support political prisoners from abroad.
How can you help political prisoners in Belarus?
1) Write letters – this remains the main method of communication for political prisoners. Letters and postcards can be sent online via Maysternya Pashtovak Salidarnasci (volunteer initiative), pismo.bel (service) or Viasna Manual.
If you consider helping political prisoners in Russia by sending them letters, please check the following websites and initiatives: OVD-Info/ human rights in Russia monitoring & advocacy; Solidarityzone; RussiansAgainstWar
2) Send parcels. You can support political prisoners with “a real gift: a parcel with sweets and a pleasant knick-knack.”
3) Support people in open-type correctional institutions
4) Support people in home confinement
5) Support families of political prisoners
6) Fundraise to support the repressed Belarusians #BYSOL
7) Share information
You can find more information and tips on the following websites: Viasna and Libereco.
Kamila Bogdanova – is a Research Assistant at the IDM and a student in the Master’s program in International Relations at Masaryk University (Brno, Czechia). She holds a BA degree in International Area Studies from Charles University (Prague, Czechia).