Belarus Pardons Protesters Amid Human Rights Concerns

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 people involved in protests. The exiled opposition welcomed the move, noting it included those with serious health issues but omitted prominent critics. Human rights groups continue to denounce the imprisonment of numerous political prisoners in Belarus.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 individuals convicted of participating in protests, according to state media on Friday. The exiled opposition commended the action, noting that it includes individuals with severe health conditions, but expressed disappointment that prominent critics were not among the released.

Franak Viacorka, an aide to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, told Reuters, “These are people with health conditions, cancer, or complex family situations. Half of them are women, but no notable names are on the list.” Tsikhanouskaya stated, “This is a positive development regardless of the circumstances, but arrests persist, and many remain imprisoned. We will continue to fight for everyone's freedom.”

In power for three decades, Lukashenko, a Putin ally, used his forces to crush mass protests in 2020 following a disputed election. State news agency Belta reported that the pardoned included 14 women and 16 men, mainly pensioners and the seriously ill. None of their names were disclosed. Human rights organizations estimate that 1,400 political prisoners are still detained in Belarus, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski.