US Seeks More Belarus Prisoner Releases

US special envoy John Coale met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko after six months. Washington is seeking the release of additional political prisoners in exchange for easing sanctions.

Coale began negotiations with Lukashenko last year. This resulted in the release of hundreds of people and the easing of some US restrictions. However, according to the human rights organization Viasna, Belarus continues to hold more than 900 political prisoners. Lukashenko rejects this label and considers them lawbreakers.

The talks offer the Belarusian leader, who has been in power since 1994, an opportunity to break through the international isolation caused by his repression of opponents and his support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The opposition in exile welcomes the US diplomatic initiative but points out that, instead of releasing prisoners, the regime is detaining more people. Activist Ales Bialatski therefore described the negotiations as an exchange of hostages for a change in sanctions.

Analysts predict that Minsk may demand more in exchange for the prisoners’ release. According to them, Lukashenko is also dissatisfied because the European Union did not follow the US lead in lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash. At the same time, UN experts point to systematic human rights violations in the country.

(Reuters, bak)