The European Union External Action Service (EEAS) on 8 July 2026 welcomed the recent release of 28 political prisoners in Belarus but expressed deep concern over the fate of at least 863 others still unjustly detained, according to the Viasna Human Rights Center. In a statement issued by the press and information team of the EU Delegation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, the EU condemned the continuing persecution and intimidation campaigns against human rights defenders, journalists, independent trade unionists, civil society representatives and national minorities by the Belarusian regime. The EU reiterated its calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners, their effective rehabilitation, and an end to repression. The statement also voiced concern about new arrests and re-arrests, as well as restrictions on the rights and freedoms of those who have been released. Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine and the United Kingdom aligned with the EU statement.
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