Belarusian Dissident Credits U.S. for Freedom, Urges UN Action
Belarusian dissident Siarhei Tsikhanouski, recently freed after spending more than five years as a political prisoner, is demanding that the international community take immediate action to secure the release of the remaining 1,150 political prisoners in Belarus. In a video message played before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, Tsikhanouski revealed the brutal conditions he endured during his imprisonment, describing it as ‘torture, abuse, and the destruction of human beings.’
The video, provided to Fox News Digital by UN Watch, highlights the harsh realities faced by political prisoners in Belarus. Tsikhanouski recounted the physical and psychological torment he experienced, stating that he was subjected to solitary confinement, denied basic necessities, and faced constant psychological manipulation by the regime. He emphasized that the treatment of prisoners is not law enforcement but a systematic attempt to break their will and punish their dissent.
Tsikhanouski credited the international community, particularly the Trump administration, for his freedom, which was secured after U.S. Special Envoy on Ukraine and Russia, Gen. Keith Kellogg, engaged in negotiations with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Alongside Tsikhanouski, 13 other political prisoners were also released through U.S. mediation. He expressed gratitude for the ‘international solidarity’ and ‘efforts of the USA administration’ that enabled his release.
In his first address as the U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Nils Muižnieks warned that the human rights situation has continued to decline since January 2025. He criticized the Belarusian government for its abuse of ‘highly problematic’ legislation, including the prohibition of insults against political figures, which he said is used to silence dissent. Muižnieks also highlighted the large number of people detained in Belarus, including opposition politicians, human rights defenders, journalists, and environmental activists, many of whom face disproportionate punishment for their activism.
Following Tsikhanouski’s message, Muižnieks stated that the recently freed dissident’s words ‘carry extra weight,’ underscoring the gravity of the situation. The U.N. Human Rights Council has been under pressure to take stronger action, with human rights groups and advocacy organizations urging the international community to hold Belarus accountable for its human rights abuses and to support the release of all political prisoners.
After his release, Tsikhanouski was reunited with his wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and their children in Lithuania. Tsikhanouskaya, who is recognized as the president-elect by some countries, thanked the Trump administration, Kellogg, and the U.S. State Department for their role in securing her husband’s freedom. She emphasized that although this is a moment of celebration, the fight for the release of the remaining political prisoners is far from over.
In a heartfelt message posted on X, Tsikhanouskaya wrote, ‘My husband Siarhei is free! It’s hard to describe the joy in my heart.’ She also reiterated the demand for the release of the remaining 1,150 political prisoners, stating that ‘All must be released.’
Advocacy groups, including UN Watch, have called upon the international community to uphold its commitments to human rights and to support further diplomatic efforts to free the remaining political prisoners. The U.N. Human Rights Office has directed questions about the situation to Muižnieks’ remarks, emphasizing the need for continued attention to the human rights crisis in Belarus.
As Tsikhanouski continues to advocate for the release of others, his case has become a symbol of the broader struggle for freedom and human rights in Belarus. His voice, once silenced by the regime, now serves as a rallying cry for millions of Belarusians who remain in the shadow of repression.