NO:W is when releases are our top priority
Manifesto
The time for release is N:OW
Freedom for all political prisoners in Belarus!
We, the undersigned, are concerned that, amid the current global situation, the plight of political prisoners in Belarus may slip out of the public eye. Meanwhile, the catastrophic situation of approximately 1,200 political prisoners requires immediate intervention.
We applaud the commencement of the release process in 2024 and urge the Belarusian authorities to continue and expand it, guaranteeing the freedom of all individuals imprisoned for political motives. We also call on democratic politicians to use all available tools and mechanisms to facilitate the release, including through diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian negotiations.
The release of political prisoners is not only a matter of justice but also a demonstration of humanity. For those released, it means the end of unspeakable suffering, a return to their loved ones, and, in some cases, even a salvation from the looming death in captivity.
Releases are necessary.
As of March 2025, more than 2,600 political prisoners in Belarus have completed their sentences and been released, while around 1,200 remain imprisoned for political reasons, some for as long as five years. At least 8 people have died in detention due to inhumane conditions. Over 200 prisoners belong to vulnerable groups, with dozens in critical condition.
Reports from human rights organizations and harrowing testimonies from hundreds of former political prisoners depict a grim picture of extreme conditions and deliberate repression: some prisoners have had no contact with their families or lawyers for more than two years; medical care is often withheld even in emergencies; and in dozens of cases, sentences have been arbitrarily prolonged.
Every additional day in captivity presents an immediate threat to the life and health of the detainees.
Releases are possible.
Since 2024, a number of pardons and prisoner exchanges have taken place—this process continued into 2025. In total, over 300 political prisoners have been freed before completing their sentences.
This proves that paths to the release of political prisoners exist!
We are convinced that the release of all those imprisoned for political reasons is possible.
Now is the time to consider and systematically implement all available means to facilitate their release, including humanitarian negotiations and diplomatic initiatives.
Releases need broad support.
For all these years, many people have been working to turn the release of political prisoners into a reality, including former prisoners, relatives of political detainees, human rights organizations, activists, and experts. However, for further progress, active support from the international democratic community, media, and politicians is essential.
In Belarus, there is public backing for the release of political prisoners: many citizens are convinced of their innocence and deem it necessary to free them, particularly those in the most vulnerable circumstances. Even among those who support the current government, the opinion that those convicted for political reasons can be released is widespread.
Our appeal to the Belarusian authorities and democratic governments:
We believe that the release of all political prisoners is not only achievable but essential. This is not only a humanitarian duty but also a vital step toward overcoming the deepening crisis in Belarus.
We call on:
- The Belarusian authorities — to continue and expand the release process, end discriminatory measures against political prisoners in detention, particularly in response to efforts advocating for their release, and ensure broad access for international observers to detainees. The release of political prisoners should not be conditional upon fulfilling humiliating terms but should, on the contrary, be accompanied by the restoration of their rights. The release of political prisoners should not be followed by continued politically motivated repression.
- Democratic governments — to make the release of political prisoners a priority, engage with the Belarusian authorities on humanitarian issues related to their release, and take all available diplomatic and humanitarian measures to achieve this goal.
- All parties — to explore possible paths for initiating a genuine dialogue on the release of prisoners.
Time is running out. Every day spent in detention worsens the physical and psychological health of political prisoners. Saving lives requires decisive action.
Our core values:
- People first
Our main priority is saving lives. Political prisoners must return home alive, not die in prisons. Their families, children, and friends are waiting for them. Every day of waiting brings pain and fear for their fate. Immediate actions for their release should outweigh short-term political objectives. - Do no harm to political prisoners
In advocacy and communication efforts, it is crucial to act responsibly and avoid steps that could worsen the situation of political prisoners. - No compromises without release
Any steps toward the Belarusian authorities must be tied to real and measurable humanitarian changes—first and foremost, the release of political prisoners and the easing of repressive measures. Western politicians should not give up their leverage without meaningful humanitarian steps in return. - Constructive dialogue and long-term strategy
Negotiations should be an integral part of a long-term strategy aimed at achieving tangible results. Direct communication between political and diplomatic structures is essential for building a minimum level of trust, without which overcoming the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Belarus is not possible. - Immediate, step-by-step actions to address the humanitarian crisis
The release process for political prisoners has already started, but it should not be limited to isolated instances of pardons. It must become the focus of real negotiations. The rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape clearly indicates the urgent need for decisive action. The time has come for systematic steps that will result in the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.
Initiators
- FreeBelarusPrisoners – Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners and Former Political Prisoners
- May 21 Foundation
- Human Rights Center “Viasna”
- Belarusian Helsinki Committee
- Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House, Vilnius
- Legal Initiative
- PEN Belarus
- Human Constanta
- Respect-Protect-Fulfill
- Belarusian Association of Journalists
- Lawtrend
- Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- politzek.me
- Physicians for Truth and Justice
- Taskforce Belarus
- Free Belarus Center
- Politvyazynka
We signed the Manifesto:
- LIBERECO – Partnership for Human Rights
- People’s Embassy of Belarus in Cyprus
- Belarusische Gemeinschaft RAZAM e.V.
- Youth Caucus of the Coordination Council
- Freedom Women, Warsaw
- Youth organization “LICHTAR”
- Euro-Atlantic Affairs Agency
- Initiative “Volnyja”
- Platform “New Belarus”
- Ekadom
- Media project “Girls Power Belarus”
- Belarusian Council for Culture
- Association of Belarusian Political Prisoners in Lithuania RE:BELarus
- The Viktar Babaryka Team
- Herzbrücke Nordheide Association
- Belarusian national youth council RADA
- Stichting antiwarcoalition.art
- The Others
- Partyzanka
- Fem.Cultural Network
Josefína Absolonová, Prague · Afina Albrecht, Stuttgart · Elena Alekinienė · Vital Aleksiayonak (Chief Conductor, Deutsche Oper am Rhein), Düsseldorf · Svetlana Alexievich (Nobel Prize in Literature laureate) · Valentina Andersone, Riga, Latvia · Valer Arabeyka, Brno · Roman Asadovsky (Database Architect), Plantation, USA · Ryhor Astapenia, Warsaw, Poland · Lizaveta Avetchanka, Lyon · Aleksandra Baibik, Germany · Alena Bandarenka, Germany · Katsiaryna Baravikova, Warsaw · Ernie Barbarash (filmmaker), USA · Andrei Barbushy (Self employed), USA · Jean Bartolome, Berlin · Ulad Basharymau (Teacher) · Elena Batsokha, USA · Aksana Batyrova, Vilnius · Rufina Bazlova (Artist), Prague · Friederike Behr, Wroclaw · Natallia Belabekhava, Warsaw · Aleksei Belokrylov, Georgia, Tbilisi · Evgenia Bernstein, Sofia, Bulgaria · Stephan Bickhardt (Direktor Evangelische Akademie Sachsen), Dresden · Dagmar Bieleke, Pirna · Natalia Bilousov, Duisburg, Germany · Desiree Bourger (Teacher), Muenster · Enira Branitskaya (Human Rights Defender), Warsaw · Palina Brodzik (Free Belarus Center, chairwoman), Warsaw · Olga Bubich (freelance writer), Berlin · Siargei Budkin (Art manager), Warsaw · Lev Chabatarou, Berlin · Alina Charnikovich, Poland · Aliaksandr Charnukha (Independent journalist, writer), Warsaw · Vitali Chasalau, Lithuania · Sonya Ciesnik (journalist), Paris, France · Franz J. Conraths, Hohen Neuendorf · Amy Cupitt, Australia · Ewa Czyż, Poland · Pavel Daneyko, Vilnius · Lizaveta Daugulevich, Vilnius · Golubev Dmitry, New York · Mikalaj Dmuhouski (freelance journalist at gaypress), Warsaw · Alla Doubrovskaia, Fort Lee · Tatsiana Drazdova, Florida USA · Lisandru Durastanti, France · Rudolf Düber (Forum "Den Kindern von Tschernobyl", Moderator), Herdorf · Julia Eder · Alina Fedyushshenko, United Kingdom · Justina Fink (100xSolidarität), Leipzig · Christine Fischer (Music of the Centuries), Berlin · Hannah Fitschen, Germany · Anastasiya Fralova, Gdańsk · Bjarke Friborg (PROSA - IT trade union, organizer), Copenhagen, Denmark · Andrea Froehlich, Benningen · Regina Fuchs (Student), Vienna · Michèle Gagliano, France · Vanessa Gembries, Stuttgart · Ilja Golland, Belgium · Kirill Gorshkov, Svetlogorsk, Russia · Dagmar Grigarova, Amriswil · Lucie Vanekova Grigarova, Berglen · Irina Grouchevaia (Taskforce Belarus), Berlin · Tatsiana Guseva (Journalist), Batumi · Ilja Gussarov (Musician, film and theater composer), Berlin · Isabelle Gustorff, Vienna · Alena Halauko (mother and sister of political prisoners), Vilnius, Lithuania · John Held, Berlin, Germany · Francesca Helm (University of Padova), Padova · Dzmitry Holubeu, New York · Mojca Hrovat, Slovenia · Mikalai Hryb, Warsaw · Aliaksandra Hushcha, Poland · Irina Ignatjuk, Grevenbroich, Germany · Diduel Igor, Paris France · Volha Ivashyna (Journalist-blogger, wife of a political prisoner), Poland · Larissa Ivtchik, Rome, Italy · Hubertus Jansen (Teacher), Netherlands · Lina Jebram (Art student), Offenbach, Germany · Pavel Kalesnikau, Germany · Maryia Kalesnikava (Euroradio, editor), Warsaw · Aleksandrina Kalesnikava, Germany · Gisela Kallenbach, Leipzig · Maksim Kanaval (Warszawa), Screenwriter · Maryia Kandukhovich, Warsaw · Denis Kargin, Warszawa · Marina Karklina, Latvia · Aleh Karobka · Dmitry Karpovich, Gdańsk · Galina Katkouskaia (Belarusian Solidarity Union Association), Wrocław · Aliaksandr Kavaleuski (Entrepreneur), Warsaw · Valery Kavaleuski (Euro-Atlantic Affairs Agency Foundation), Warsaw · Dzmitry Kazakevich (journalist) · Yauhen Kazartsev (Journalist), Warsaw · Mikita Kaziuka, Warsaw · Bettina Kerl, Sankt Pölten · Iryna Khamrenka-Ushakova, Poland · Maria Kharitonchik, Poland · Anatoli Khinevich (Association of Political Prisoners of Belarus), Vilnius · Tatsiana Khomich (FreeBelarusPrisoners – Association of Relatives of Political Prisoners and Former Political Prisoners), Paris · Tassilo Kienle, Germany · Friederike Kienle (Conductor), Stuttgart · Maria Klennitskaya, Munich, Germany · Antonia Knop (Lehrerin), Frankfurt, Germany · Aliaksandr Knyrovich, Warsaw · Nadzeya Kondratsenka, Bialystok · Alena Kopa, Lithuania · Yelizaveta Korchyk, Hradec Králové · Henadz Korschunau, Warsaw-Minsk · Anastasia Kostyugova, Poland · Ivan Kravtsov (Babaryka Team), Warsaw · Prof. Dr. Ulrich Kreppein (HfMDK Frankfurt), Frankfurt am Main · Volha Krykun, Turkey · Dzmitry Kukhtsin, Warszawa · Svetlana Kulbakova, Barcelona · Vera Kulik, Warszawa · Yury Kulikou, Wroclaw · Ilonka Kunow, Gauting, Germany · Vital Kupratsevich, Minsk · Sviatlana Kuzmina, Cyprus · Ekaterina Kuznetsova (“Viasna”, volunteer), USA · Palina Kuznyatsova, Homiel · Jutta Köhler, Germany · Vitalina Labanava (Student), France · Iryna Labanok (Pensioner), Spain · Shpiro Lada, Saint Petersburg, Russia · Uladzislau Lapko, Poland · Tatsiana Lapukhina, US · Regina Lavor (Cultural scientist, museologist), Poland · Nadine Leideck, Germany · Gabriele Lesch, Stuttgart · Andrei Leuchanka, Brest · Maryia Levachova, Vilnius · Mikalai Liapeshka, Poland · Pavel Liaukevich, Philadelphia · Ugis Libietis (Latvian Public Service media, journalist), Latvia · Renate Liesmann-Baum (Gerhart and Renate Baum Foundation), Cologne · Tatsiana Lisouskaya, Vilnius · Darya Lissek, Doutchland · Aliaksandr Loika, Warsaw, Poland · Raik Lorenz, Leipzig · Olga Luchanok, Berlin · Tatsiana Lukayanava, Lithuania · Manfred Mack-Bald, Reinheim · Natallia Maksimava (Journalistin), Köln, Deutschland · Ksenia Malyukova (Activist), Poland · Juergen Martian, Berlin · Vitali Martynenka · Isolde Marz, Boeblingen · David Maršálek, Czech Republic · Aleh Matskevich (Human Rights Center "Viasna"), Vilnius · Pavel Matsukevich, Warsaw · Dr. Brad Mazon, Buffalo, New York · Stefan Melle, Vienna · Marina Mentusova (gender researcher), Warsaw · Herbert Meyer, Hannover · Christian Meyerhoff, Kehl · Yury Miashechka, Poland · Alena Michalski, TX Austin, USA · Mary Mikaelyan · Dzina Mikhnavets, Bali · Svetlana Minkova (independent entrepreneur, psychologist), Tbilisi · Yauheniya Mironava, Cambridge MA, USA · Anatol Mitsengendler, Klamath Falls, Oregon · Valzhyna Mort, USA · Luka Motyka, Prague · Jasmina Mustafić, Vienna, Austria · Saaya Nakazono, Kyoto, Japan · Volha Niachajchyk (NGO), Vilnius · Aliaksei Nosau, Valencia · Aliaksei Novik, Vilnius, Lithuania · Ana Maria Oancea, Bergen, Norway · Kai Ohrem (Mozarteum University, Univ. - Prof.), Salzburg · Pavel Padalyak (Expert), Minsk · Ivan Padrez (YouTuber), Gdańsk · Serafima Parland, Helsinki · Andrei Pavuk (Blogger), Vilnius · Volha Pavuk (YouTube channel @Rudapakazu), Vilnius, Lithuania · Anton Penkovski (Euro-Atlantic Affairs Agency), Warsaw · Viktorija Pincuk, Latvia · Kuzma Plugachev (University of Fraser Valley, Student), Abbotsford, British Columbia · Michael Prach, Warszawa · Michael Prib, Stuttgart, Germany · Julia Protsenko, Wrocław · Andrew Prus, Poland · Katsiaryna Prymak, Belostok · Tiina Pulkkinen, Helsinki · Uladzimir Pylchanka (Lawyer), Vilnius · Eva Quistorp (European Parliament, former MEP), Berlin · Elena Rabkina (ARSIF, founder), Krakow · Anton Radniankou, Warsaw · Katya Rayetskaya (Media producer), Europe · Svetlana Riger, Stuttgart · Daria Rubleuskaya, Warsaw · Alesia Rudnik (Researcher, political scientist), Stockholm · Katja Rumiantseva (RAZAM e.V.), Berlin · Ilya Rytau-Kliuchenia, Poznań · Niklas Rörig, Germany · Andreas Rüttenauer, Berlin · Heike Sabel (Together into the Future Association, chairwoman), Heidenau · Татsiana Safonava, Warsaw, Poland · Tatiana Safrygina, New Jersey · Evgeniya Samus, New York · Yulia Sandamirskaya (Professor), Zurich · Anna Sapsanava, Warsaw · Christian Savary (Deputy-Mayor for culture and memory), Coutances, France · Karl-Heinz Schoelzel, Heidenau · Michaela Schoffer, Dresden · Franziska Schulz, Berlin · Sofia Schwizer, Bern · Hanna Sharkouskaya (Project Manager-Consultant), Gdańsk · George Shaw, California, USA · Artiom Shishkov, Berlin · Dr. Andriy Shmatukha (Ukrainian Canadian), Toronto, Ontario, Canada · Olga Shparaga (Philosopher, FernUni in Hagen), Hagen, Germany · Anastasia Shu, Warsaw · Ruslan Shulga, Paris, France · Katsiaryna Sialitskaya, Poland · Darya Siamchuk (Artist), Warsaw · Tom Silbermann, Hamburg · Ala Sivets (Politzek.me), Santiago · Daniela Sosa, Hollywood, FL · Katharina Tari Staake, Winsen · Sergey Stalmakov, Poland · Alena Stankevich · Darya Stelmakova, Cologne · Bára Stepanukova (Student), Czechia · Annelen Strassburger, Germany · Zarina Sullivan, Los Angeles, ca, USA · Alexandra Tauger, Prague · Tatyana Tereshenkova, Russia · Sofia Tocar (cultural worker), Czech Republic · Bärbel Treutler (Alliance 90/The Greens Prignitz), Groß Breese · Wilfried Treutler, Groß Breese · Volha Tserashkova-Nekrasava (Reporter), Warszawa · Roza Turarbekava (BAAN, board member), Lithuania · Valeryia Ulasik (Journalist, editor), Vilnius · Selena Valitutto, Filderstadt, DE · Hanna Valynets (project manager, freelance), Vilnius · Anna Vasilevich, USA · Anna Vasilevich, WA, Lynnwood · Dmitry Vasilevich, WA Lynnwood · Yan Vatsyevich · Will Vernon, London · Halina Vitkouskaya, Poland · Konstantin Vofsi, Port Coquitlam · Lili Vogelsang, Stuttgart, Germany · Volga Vysotskaia (Solidarity Atelier), Barcelona · Jelisa Weber, Berlin · Jelisa Weber, Berlin · Doris Witter, Basel · Doris Witter, Basel · Tina Wünschmann (translator) · Andrei Yahorau (Coordination Council, Delegate), Warsaw · Maryna Yakubovich (Mozart Universität, Salzburg), Salzburg · Yuliya Yaskevich, Poland · Anna Yermakova, Ireland · Ales Yuruts, Vilnius, Lithuania · Aliaksandr Zeliutkin (Vilnius Association of Political Prisoners RE:BELarus, participant), Vilnius, Lithuania · Anton Zherebnov, Berlin · Ekaterina Zhilina, Hallandale Beach, Florida · Anton Zhmako (Photographer), Vilnius, Lithuania · Andrei Zhukau (Designer), Wrocław · Siargei Zikratski (Lawyer), Lisbon · Andreas Zuehlke (Chernobyl Group), Hamburg
Former political prisoners
- • Natallia Hancharenka, Warsaw
- • Iryna Tarasava, Vilnius
- • Vyachaslau Smirnou
- • Vladimir Hryhoryeu (Worker), Warsaw
- • Mazlum Şahin (Student), Istanbul
- • Aliaksandr Babko, Vilnius, Lithuania
- • Henadz Smirnou, Wroclaw
- • Ales Papkovich (Artist, musician), Poland
- • Siarhei Korshun (Host of the channel "Ne Begly")
- • Ihar Laptanovich, Switzerland
- • llia Mironau (Activist), Vilnius, Lithuania
- • Vitali Prakapchuk, Wroclaw
- • Aliaksandr Babich, Brest
- • Dzmitry Mikhailous, Latvia
- • Ruslan Valiuk, Wroclaw
- • Olga Filatchankava, Europe
- • Leanid Sudalenka (Human Rights Center "Viasna", lawyer, human rights defender), Vilnius
- • Yana Zhurauliova, Poland
- • Ilya Saley (Lawyer), Warsaw
- • Anfisa Lanno, Prague
- • Levon Khalatryan, Warsaw
- • Ksenia Lutskina, Berlin
- • Natalia Dulina, Vilnius
- • Alesia Bunevich, Poland
- • Kira Bajarenka, Poland
- • Daria Yurishcheva, Marseille, France
- • Volha Harbunova (Former political prisoner, civic activist), Lithuania
- • Uladzimir Kalach (Folk rock band Irdorath), Berlin
- • Maryia Babovich (political prisoner, human rights activist), Warsaw
- • Alana Gebremariam (Coordination Council (delegate), former political prisoner), Warsaw, Poland
- • Olga Loiko (Journalist, former political prisoner), Warsaw