In connection with the intensifying practice of forced expulsion from Belarus of pardoned political prisoners, which is taking on a mass and systematic character, we, a coalition of Belarusian human rights organizations, declare the following:
We welcome the release of 175 people (52 on 11 September 2025 and 123 on 13 December 2025), of whom 163 had previously been convicted in violation of legal standards as a result of politically motivated persecution, as well as other releases that took place earlier (in particular on 21 June 2025). We express the hope that such releases will continue and once again call on the Belarusian authorities to demonstrate foresight in overcoming the humanitarian crisis that has developed in the country.
At the same time, we express serious concern about the manner in which these releases are being carried out. Released individuals are subjected to forced transportation to the borders of neighboring states, namely the Belarusian–Lithuanian and Belarusian–Ukrainian borders. Some of those released reported that the transfers took place with bags over their heads and in handcuffs. All of this was carried out in violation of basic procedural guarantees of liberty, without ensuring the possibility of legal protection, including access to necessary documents and legal assistance.
Moreover, the transfer of individuals to the territory of Ukraine — a state in a situation of armed conflict — into close proximity to the zone of hostilities constitutes an additional aggravating factor of serious physical danger and profound psychological trauma for people who have spent a long time in places of detention under inhumane conditions and who, as a result, are already in an especially vulnerable position.
Released individuals who have been forcibly taken outside the territory of the Republic of Belarus effectively find themselves in a situation of forced exile and are deprived of the possibility of returning to their homeland. Some of them have been deprived of their passports. Such actions by the Belarusian authorities directly violate both national legislation and Belarus’s international obligations, and further aggravate the vulnerability of people who have already suffered unjust punishment. According to statements by the Belarusian authorities, these individuals were pardoned and released from punishment, as there are no indications of pardon by replacing the punishment with a more lenient one, which means that all these people should be free. Forced expulsion, carried out in effect under escort directly from places of detention, primarily violates their right to liberty (Article 25 of the Constitution, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), as well as freedom of movement (Article 30 of the Constitution, Article 12(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Citizens and persons equated to them have the right to freely stay on the territory of Belarus, as well as to leave and return to it.
With regard to the forced removal of released individuals to Ukraine, as a result of the deliberate creation of an additional situation of danger to life and health, it is possible to speak, at a minimum, of a violation of the right to life (Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), since the obligation to respect and ensure the right to life extends to reasonably foreseeable threats and life-threatening situations that may lead to the death of people.
We draw attention to the fact that, in accordance with Article 7(1)(d) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, such actions by the authorities, committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against civilian population, may be qualified as a crime against humanity in the form of deportation. Each subsequent expulsion only strengthens such a qualification, confirming the elements of deportation as a crime against humanity.
Such forced expulsion of released political prisoners deprives them, fully or partially, of a whole range of other fundamental rights without which a normal life is impossible. In particular, rights related to family relations, property, housing, and labor rights, the right to health, the right to social security, and other rights are violated.
In view of the above, we call on the authorities of the Republic of Belarus to:
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respect and unconditionally comply with the right of citizens to liberty and the right to freedom of movement enshrined in the Constitution and international treaties of the Republic of Belarus, including the right to freely return to Belarus;
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refrain from creating situations of additional danger and threat, and respect the right of citizens to life;
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cease the practice of forced expulsion of citizens of the Republic of Belarus after their release;
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provide released individuals with documents and grant those who have already been forcibly expelled the opportunity to safely return to Belarus, and grant people who are to be released in the future the right to freely choose their place of residence.
We call on representatives of international organizations and foreign states, including those involved in negotiations on releases, to:
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make maximum diplomatic efforts to put an end to the practice of forced expulsion of released citizens of the Republic of Belarus;
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provide maximum assistance in the legalization of forcibly expelled citizens of the Republic of Belarus on the territory of foreign states.
Human Constanta
Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Lawtrend
Belarusian PEN
Respect-Protect-Fulfill
Human Rights Center “Viasna”
Legal Initiative
Belarusian Association of Journalists
Belarusian Human Rights House
Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
