The European Union on 8 July 2026 welcomed the release of 28 political prisoners in Belarus but expressed deep concern over the fate of at least 863 others still unjustly detained, according to a statement by the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe. The EU strongly condemned the continuing persecution and intimidation campaigns by the Belarusian regime against human rights defenders, journalists, independent trade unionists, civil society representatives and national minorities. It reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners and urged the authorities to end repression. The statement also noted 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.