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 fifth anniversary of Alexander Lukashenka’s falsification of elections in Belarus, which were followed by mass protests.
“Five years ago this week, after Alexander Lukashenka fraudulently engineered his own reelection, the Belarusian people took to the streets to demand change. Instead of implementing the will of the people, the Lukashenka regime violently cracked down on activists and civil society, forcing many people to leave the country. While I celebrate the recent release of political prisoners, the overall number of prisoners has barely changed. More than 1,000 political prisoners still remain behind bars. I was in Belarus over 10 years ago and the conditions reported by NGOs and civil activists are still present in Belarus and people have their lives limited and are not permitted freedoms of speech and association or to participate freely in elections. This must stop. I urge Minsk to act swiftly to free all political prisoners and cease using its judicial system as a tool of repression. In recognition of this solemn anniversary, the continuous crackdown on freedom in Belarus must finally come to an end.”
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