Lukashenko Pardons 30 Protesters, but Jailings Persist Amid Rising Repression

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 more individuals convicted of protest activities. However, human rights groups say he continues to imprison political dissidents at a rapid pace. Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and organizations like Viasna call for sustained international pressure to ensure the release of all political prisoners.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Wednesday granted pardons to 30 individuals convicted of participating in protest activities. The move marks the third batch of pardons in two months, according to human rights group Viasna. However, Viasna asserts that Lukashenko continues to fill jails with political prisoners as quickly as he empties them.

Lukashenko, who recently turned 70 and has led Belarus since 1994, issued a decree stating that 23 men and seven women were pardoned as a 'humane gesture.' The decree did not identify the individuals but noted that most were parents of young children and minors.

Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the release but highlighted the ongoing repression. 'I am relieved that 30 more political prisoners in #Belarus have been pardoned. They are all innocent,' Tsikhanouskaya wrote on X. 'However, more than 1,400 remain imprisoned on political grounds. We need sustained international pressure to secure the freedom of all of them.'

(With inputs from agencies.)