After more than 4 years of unjust imprisonment, the release of prominent Belarusian human rights defenders Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovich marks a long-awaited and deeply significant moment for the international human rights community. Their freedom brings relief and hope, yet it cannot be regarded as justice, as hundreds of political prisoners continue to be arbitrarily detained in Belarus and repressions continue apace. FIDH demands the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including personalities from its member organisation HRC Viasna.
Paris, Vilnius, 15 December 2025. Ales Bialiatski, ex-Vice-President of FIDH, founder of Human Rights Centre Viasna and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Uladzimir Labkovich, lawyer and long-standing Viasna human rights defender, were imprisoned solely for their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of fundamental freedoms. Their detention was emblematic of the systematic repression carried out by the Belarusian authorities against civil society, independent voices, and political opposition.
Alexis Deswaef, President of FIDH, welcomed the release while stressing the urgency of further action: "We are of course relieved and happy about the release of Ales and Uladzimir, who are extremely important figures for FIDH. We hope that these releases will soon be followed by others, in particular that of my friend Valiantsin Stefanovic, who was also elected Vice-President of FIDH at the same time as me in 2019, but has been imprisoned since 2021 and who currently remains in prison, as well as Marfa Rabkova, coordinator of Viasna’s volunteer service. Beyond their personal cases, hundreds of opponents are currently held in Belarusian jails. They have no place there. We demand their immediate release."
Repression continues despite symbolic releases
While these releases constitute a positive development, they do not signal an end to repression in Belarus. Arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, torture, and inhuman detention conditions remain widespread. Human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, and political activists continue to be targeted solely for exercising their fundamental rights.
Ilya Nuzov, Director of the FIDH Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk, emphasised that the international community must not lower its guard: "The liberation of Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovich is a powerful reminder that international involvement matters. However, it would be a grave mistake to interpret this step as a genuine change in policy. As long as political imprisonment remains a tool of governance in Belarus, the authorities must be held accountable, and pressure to release all political prisoners, provide reparations and enact sweeping human rights reforms must be intensified."
FIDH reiterates that selective or partial releases cannot substitute for a comprehensive dismantling of the repressive system currently in place.
A duty to act: freedom for all political prisoners
According to Belarusian human rights organisations, including FIDH member HRC Viasna, hundreds of individuals remain behind bars on politically motivated charges. Many are held in harsh conditions, deprived of medical care, and denied contact with their families and lawyers.
FIDH calls on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, to put an end to judicial harassment against civil society, and to comply with their international human rights obligations. FIDH also urges the international community, including the European Union and United Nations mechanisms, to maintain strong and coordinated pressure until all political prisoners are freed and fundamental freedoms are fully restored in Belarus, and to ensure accountability for the grave human rights violations and international crimes, including by referring the situation to the International Criminal Court.
The release of Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovich must be the beginning, not the end, of justice.
