Free Belarusian Dissidents

Five years after the brutal suppression of peaceful protests in 2020, the human rights crisis in Belarus is still unfolding. Over a thousand journalists, human rights defenders and other activists remain imprisoned. They must be released. Free Kalesnikava, Bialiatski, Loika, Rabkova and all those unjustly held in prison for dissent.

What’s the problem?

In Belarus, peaceful dissent is criminalized as “extremism”. Independent media and civil society have been severely curtailed. Torture and other ill-treatment is endemic and carried out with impunity. Hundreds of NGOs have been forced to close, and many people have fled abroad.

Over a thousand people remain imprisoned. Many are held incommunicado, some for months and others for years. Since 2020, at least nine people imprisoned for their political views have died in prison. Even the relatives of those in prison are harassed, threatened and silenced.

Opposition leader Maryia Kalesnikava was held incommunicado in prison for over 600 days, until a brief meeting with her father in November 2024.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his human rights work, he is still there facing harsh conditions, including isolation, forced labour, and struggling to get adequate treatment for his deteriorating health.

Both Ales and Maryia are prisoners of conscience. So are woman human rights defender and educator Nasta Loika, and human rights group Viasna volunteer coordinator, Marfa Rabkova. There are many more.

Your voice matters. When we act together, we help protect people at risk, sustain their families through solidarity and signal to the authorities that the world is watching. Add your name to demand freedom and dignity for all those unjustly jailed for dissent in Belarus.

What you can do to help

Sign the petition now to demand the release of all those imprisoned solely on politically motivated grounds in Belarus and put an end to the persecution of dissent.