On 26 January 2025, the so-called presidential elections were held in Belarus.
In an atmosphere of repression and fear, amid a total crackdown on the opposition and independent media, without any legitimate political competition or a generally recognised international observation, these “elections” lack democratic legitimacy.
Since 2020, Alexander Lukashenko’s regime in Belarus has systematically taken reprisals against Belarusian opposition, civil society and representatives of the independent media, torturing, arresting and expelling thousands of Belarusians. The regime’s crackdown on Belarusian people has been utterly condemned by the international community.
Latvia demands an immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.
Latvia will continue to support the Belarusian democratic forces and their leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as well as their aspirations of an independent and democratic Belarus in the European family of nations.