Belarusian Democratic Forces Engage Ukrainian Officials on Human Rights and Political Prisoners in Kyiv

Key Meeting in Kyiv Addresses Belarusian Human Rights

On February 3, 2026, representatives of Belarusian democratic forces convened in Kyiv, Ukraine, for a crucial meeting with the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. The discussions centered on the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and the urgent issue of political prisoners, including Ukrainian citizens held in Belarusian detention facilities.

The Belarusian delegation included Leanid Marozau, Advisor on Legal Affairs to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya; Volha Zazulinskaya, Representative for Social Policy of the United Transitional Cabinet; and Sviatlana Shatsilina, Head of the Democratic Belarus Mission in Ukraine. Mr. Marozau also held direct talks with the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets.

Focus on Political Prisoners and Bilateral Cooperation

A primary objective of the meeting was to address the plight of political prisoners in Belarus. The Belarusian representatives provided three lists containing the names of Ukrainian citizens who have been convicted in Belarus on political grounds. These lists included individuals from the broader group of political prisoners, those convicted for protesting Russia's war in Ukraine, and those implicated in the 'Belarusian Hajun case.'

Discussions also covered the situation of Belarusians persecuted for their opposition to the Lukashenka and Putin regimes following Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine. The parties explored humanitarian and human rights-based approaches to these cases, as well as the reported practice of forcibly expelling political prisoners outside Belarus, potentially through Ukrainian territory.

Leanid Marozau underscored the importance of the engagement, stating, 'It is fundamentally important for us to establish direct and systematic cooperation with Ukrainian human rights institutions. We are speaking not only about solidarity, but also about concrete response mechanisms regarding political prisoners, transnational repression, and forced transfers. In these matters, coordination with the Office of the Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner is of key importance.'

Dire Human Rights Situation in Belarus

The meeting took place against a backdrop of severe human rights abuses in Belarus. Reports indicate that over 1,100 political prisoners remain detained in the country, with some estimates placing the number at 1,265 people as of December 2025. Human rights organizations have documented widespread abuses, including torture, ill-treatment, and denial of medical care in detention facilities. Tragically, at least five individuals imprisoned on politically motivated charges have died in detention.

The Belarusian regime has systematically repressed dissent since the 2020 presidential election, with ongoing crackdowns on independent media, civil society organizations, and peaceful protesters. The dialogue in Kyiv represents an effort to counter these repressive policies and seek international support for those affected.

Path Forward for Democratic Forces

The engagement between Belarusian democratic forces and Ukrainian officials signifies a continued effort to coordinate international responses to the human rights crisis in Belarus. The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, leads an independent constitutional body responsible for parliamentary control over human rights observance in Ukraine. This meeting aims to lay the groundwork for more structured and systematic cooperation to protect human rights and advocate for the release of political prisoners in Belarus, including those with Ukrainian citizenship.