Diplomats issue joint statement after meeting at Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Representatives of the diplomatic missions of the EU member states and embassies of the UK, US, and Japan issued a joint statement concerning a meeting with Foreign Minister Uladzimir Makei.

The diplomats called on the Belarusian authorities to immediately halt the persecution of all persons engaged in the pro-democracy movement, independent media, and civil society; immediately cease the torture and inhumane treatment of peaceful protesters and political prisoners; immediately release and rehabilitate all political prisoners and all those unjustly detained; investigate human rights violations and prosecute those who authorized and perpetrated acts of violence; initiate an inclusive political process leading to free and fair elections under the observation of the OSCE/ODIHR.

The diplomats hope that Lithuanian, Polish, Latvian, UK, and US colleagues will be allowed to return to Belarus.