Belarusian Authorities Confiscate Passports from Released Political Prisoners
Freed political prisoners in Belarus have consistently reported that authorities confiscated their passports upon release, a move that significantly restricts their ability to travel or reside abroad. This practice has been observed following multiple prisoner releases, some of which were part of agreements for U.S. sanctions relief. Human rights advocates and opposition figures have condemned these actions, labeling them as a form of 'forced deportation' and a 'dirty trick' by the Belarusian government.
Recent Releases and Sanctions Deals
In December 2025, 123 political prisoners were released by Belarus. This mass release, which included prominent figures such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, opposition leader Maria Kalesnikava, and ex-presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, coincided with the United States lifting sanctions on Belarus's potash industry. Many of these individuals were reportedly transported to Ukraine without their passports. Similarly, in September 2025, over 50 political prisoners were released and taken to the Lithuanian border, with at least 14 of them lacking passports. This earlier release was linked to the U.S. easing some sanctions on Belavia, Belarus's national airline.
Impact on Freed Individuals and International Reaction
The confiscation of passports effectively creates a state of forced exile for the released prisoners, preventing them from returning to their homes or establishing new lives elsewhere. Uladzimir Labkovich, a human rights advocate released in December 2025, recounted being driven blindfolded to Ukraine without any valid documents. Journalist Ihar Losik stated that his passport was 'stolen' and all his papers confiscated, while activist Mikalai Dziadok reported his passport was torn up by security operatives. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, described these actions as 'forced deportation in violation of all international norms and regulations' and 'inhumane treatment.' Nils Muižnieks, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus, characterized the situation as 'not pardons, but forced exile.' Some individuals, like prominent opposition activist Mikalai Statkevich, reportedly refused to leave Belarus and were subsequently returned to prison.
Ongoing Repression
Beyond the immediate issue of passport confiscation upon release, Belarusian authorities have also implemented policies preventing Belarusians living abroad from renewing or obtaining new passports at embassies and consulates. This further complicates the lives of thousands who have fled the country due to repression. These actions underscore a broader pattern of control exerted by the government over its citizens, even after their release from detention.
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