Belarus: the life of imprisoned Sakharov Prize recipient, Maryia Kalesnikava, is at risk and she must be immediately released

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament reiterates its call on the EU to impose stronger sanctions on the Lukashenka regime, including against goods involving political prisoners’ forced labour, stricter financial sanctions, and sanctions on individuals responsible for serious human-rights violations.

With more than 1.400 people imprisoned on political grounds, in Belarus the repression continues to escalate.

One of the regime’s victims, Maryia Kalesnikava, a leader of mass protests that came close to toppling Lukashenka in 2020, and one of the Sakharov Prize recipients, has spent 4 years in prison, the last one year and a half being in solitary confinement with no communication with the outside world. Experiencing serious health issues, Maryia does not receive medical treatment and currently weighs 45 kg.

Renew Europe MEP, Petras Auštrevičius (Lithuanian Liberal Movement), said:

“Maryia Kalesnikava is a symbol of persecution and an example of inhuman treatment that represents the crimes against humanity committed by the Lukashenka regime. We stand in solidarity with Maryia and all political prisoners in Belarus. We wish them strength and call for their immediate release.”