“We Must Not Allow the Regime to Divide Us” — Tsikhanouskaya Comments on Letter From Former Political Prisoners

Reform.news Editorial Team · 27 October 2026, 20:23

https://reform.news/en/we-must-not-allow-the-regime-to-divide-us-tsikhanouskaya-comments-on-letter-from-former-political-prisoners/

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has commented on a letter from former political prisoners calling on European leaders to step up efforts to secure the release of prisoners in Belarus. She thanked those who signed it and urged Belarusians not to allow the regime to divide them.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who signed the letter calling for the release of political prisoners. I have great respect for all former political prisoners — both those who signed the letter and those who have doubts. I would have signed it myself, because I share your pain and support the demands put forward: to free people, end repression, and ensure that everyone can return home. These demands are just. And I will do everything in my power to make sure your voices are heard,” Tsikhanouskaya said.

She emphasized that every person’s life and freedom are an absolute priority for the democratic forces. Tsikhanouskaya said that the release of political prisoners is also, in part, the result of sanctions pressure.

“The issue of political prisoners and the need to end repression should unite us all. There is no need to argue over who wants people to be released more. We must not allow the regime to divide us. The dilemmas being imposed on us — pressure or dialogue, negotiations or sanctions — are false. Neither works without the other. Without pressure, the regime will not engage in serious dialogue, just as today’s releases would not have happened without sanctions,” Tsikhanouskaya said.

The leader of Belarus’s democratic forces believes that the real addressee of these demands is not in Brussels or Washington, but in Minsk.

“It is Lukashenka who is keeping people behind bars. … It is he who continues the repression. And the regime understands perfectly well what it needs to do for sanctions to be lifted, but it does not do it,” Tsikhanouskaya said.

She noted that a couple of months ago, EU representatives visited Minsk and raised the issue of political prisoners, but the regime brushed the matter aside.

“Our task is to force the regime into genuine dialogue and a change in its policies. To achieve this, we need to continue applying pressure so that the regime feels as much pain as the people who are now unlawfully imprisoned. Then, I am sure, we will see more people regain their freedom, achieve an end to repression, and secure everyone’s return home — exactly what you call for in your letter,” Tsikhanouskaya said.

She recalled that the democratic forces have offered Lukashenka’s regime dialogue through a round table, but it is not ready to engage.

Tsikhanouskaya also noted that Minsk’s support for the war against Ukraine is leading to new sanctions and further isolation of Belarus.

“Ending military support for Russia must be demanded of the regime just as firmly as ending repression. For my part, I will do everything in my power to ensure that every voice is heard,” Tsikhanouskaya said.