Congressmen Cohen and Wilson and Senators Welch and Curtis Welcome Release of Belarusian Political Prisoners

WASHINGTON - Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Joe Wilson (SC-2) and Senators Peter Welch of Vermont and John Curtis of Utah today welcomed the release of 123 political prisoners held by Belarusian strongman Aleksandr Lukashenka. Congressman Cohen, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly's Special Representative on Political Prisoners, had sought the release of several opposition leaders held since a 2020 crackdown after a rigged election.

Congressman Cohen joined Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Wilson and Senators Welch and Curtis in an open letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubioon November 17 urging him to continue working for the release of the Belarusians and use caution in future negotiations with the Putin-aligned Lukashenka regime. The letter specifically mentioned Maryia Kalesnikava, Ales Bialiatski, Viktar Babaryka, Uladzimir Labkovich, and Maksim Znak who were released on Saturday. Other political prisoners mentioned in the letter but still imprisoned include Marfa Rabkova, Valiantsin Stefanovich, Nasta (Anastasia) Loika, Eduard Babaryka, Dzyanis Ivashyn, and Kaciaryna Andrejeva.

The lawmakers released this joint statement:

"While long overdue, the release of Maryia Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka and other high-profile political prisoners is a welcome development. There are still at least 1,100 political prisoners in Lukashenko's jails, and we will continue to work for their release."

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