WASHINGTON—U.S. Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09), OSCE PA Special Representative on Political Prisoners, today issued a statement marking the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus.
“Today, on Belarus Political Prisoners Day, we honor the courage of the thousands of Belarusians unjustly imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights. Belarusian political prisoners regularly face torture and other mistreatment, while their families endure the daily anguish of not being able to contact them or get updates about their health and wellbeing. While I join recently released political prisoners and their loved ones in celebrating their freedom, Belarus must end its longstanding policy of silencing opposition by holding dissenters hostage. I call on Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners, restore the rule of law, and respect the dignity and freedoms of their own people.”
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