‘Never Give Up’: Belarusian Prisoners Celebrate Release After U.S. Lifts Sanctions

Belarusian authorities have released 123 prisoners, including prominent political figures and activists, following a diplomatic agreement with the United States that resulted in the lifting of sanctions on Belarusian potash exports, a crucial sector of the country’s economy.

The move represents the largest group release of political detainees in Belarus in recent years.

The release was authorised by President Alexander Lukashenko after two days of talks in Minsk between Belarusian officials and a U.S. special envoy. The prisoners freed include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, who had been incarcerated for years, and opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, a central figure in the 2020 pro-democracy protests.

Convicted under charges widely regarded as politically motivated, both figures were transferred out of Belarus after their pardon, with many others also deported to neighbouring countries.

Those released have publicly expressed a mix of elation and relief, often referencing resilience and perseverance during their incarceration, sentiments encapsulated in the refrain “never give up.” Relatives and supporters greeted many of the freed individuals with emotional reunions, underscoring the personal significance of their release after extended periods of detention under harsh conditions.

The sanctions relief negotiated by the United States targeted Belarus’s potash industry, a major contributor to export revenue, in return for the pardon of the prisoners. U.S. officials characterised the outcome as a step toward normalising bilateral relations, though critics stress that significant political repression continues in Belarus and that many political prisoners remain behind bars.

The development has drawn international attention, with human rights organisations emphasising that while the release of high-profile detainees is a positive development, broader systemic reforms are necessary to ensure lasting progress in the rule of law and respect for civil liberties.

Observers also note that the diplomatic engagement may form part of wider geopolitical negotiations, including discussions involving regional security concerns and Belarus’s relationship with neighbouring states.

Source: Latest reporting from Reuters, Euronews, ABC News, and ITV News