Statement of the BNYC “RADA” on the release of political prisoners on 13 December 2025
On 13 December 2025, it became known that 123 people had been released, including at least 26 young people under the age of 35. A total of 114 individuals were forcibly transferred to Ukraine, while 9 were transferred to Lithuania. The release took place against the backdrop of negotiations between Lukashenka and a US delegation led by John Coale, a representative of the President of the United States.
The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” welcomes this further step toward the release of all unlawfully convicted. This is an important and long-awaited development that brings hope to families, friends, and the entire Belarusian community. The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” expresses its gratitude to the Ukrainian side for receiving the released political prisoners and for the humanitarian support provided. We highly appreciate this act of solidarity, taken under difficult circumstances, and view it as an important contribution to the protection of fundamental human rights.
For us, it is fundamentally important to emphasize that human life, freedom, and dignity are the highest values. No political agreement can justify deprivation of liberty, violence, or the humiliation of human dignity. The release of people from prisons is not a “gesture of goodwill,” but a necessary step toward fulfilling human rights obligations.
At the same time, we categorically oppose the forced expulsion of former political prisoners who are citizens of the Republic of Belarus from their own country. Pushing people beyond the borders of Belarus constitutes yet another violation of human rights. Every citizen of the Republic of Belarus has the inalienable right to live in their own country, to move freely, to leave it, and to return without hindrance.
It is important to note that some of those released are young people — a generation that has been unlawfully deprived of years of their lives, as well as opportunities for education and for professional and personal development. Belarusian youth must not pay with their freedom for their civic position.
We also recall that at least 1,109 political prisoners1 remain in Belarusian prisons. The release of all of them — without exception, without conditions, and without subsequent repression must remain the focus of efforts by Belarusian democratic forces and international partners.
The Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” continues to insist on:
- the immediate and unconditional release of all unjustly convicted prisoners in Belarus with full rehabilitation;
- an end to the practice of forced expulsion as a form of repression;
- the restoration of opportunities for free civic and political activity in Belarus.
Long live Belarus!
