The United Kingdom, alongside 37 other member countries of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has issued a joint statement calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus.
The statement, delivered on 17 September 2026, urged Belarusian authorities to cease the repression of civil society, independent media, and opposition voices. It noted that little has changed since last year regarding human rights concerns.
According to the Human Rights Center Viasna, at least 10,016 people have faced criminal prosecution for political reasons since 2020, an increase of approximately 1,500 cases since last year. There are currently 886 political prisoners in Belarus.
The joint statement also expressed deep concern over reports of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in detention, including prolonged isolation and inadequate access to medical care.