Fact Check: "Belarus holds over 1,000 political prisoners, the highest in Europe."
What We Know
The claim that Belarus holds over 1,000 political prisoners is supported by multiple credible sources. According to the 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, significant human rights issues in Belarus include the detention of political prisoners, with reports indicating that the number of such prisoners is substantial. As of June 21, 2025, a report from the Washington Post stated that there are still 1,186 political prisoners in Belarus, highlighting the ongoing repression under President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.
Furthermore, the BBC has reported on the isolation and treatment of political prisoners in Belarus, indicating that the situation is dire and that the number of political prisoners is significant. Additionally, the human rights organization Viasna has documented that as of December 31, 2023, there were at least 1,265 political prisoners in Belarus, which further corroborates the claim (Voice of Belarus).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from reputable sources. The U.S. State Department's report is an official document that outlines human rights practices and is widely regarded as a reliable source of information regarding the situation in various countries. The Washington Post, a well-respected news outlet, provides a contemporary account of the number of political prisoners, emphasizing the ongoing nature of political repression in Belarus.
The BBC and Viasna's reports are also credible, as they are based on extensive investigations and documentation of human rights abuses in Belarus. Viasna, in particular, is a prominent human rights organization that has been actively monitoring the situation in Belarus and has a history of providing accurate data regarding political prisoners.
The consistency across these sources strengthens the reliability of the claim. While there may be variations in the exact number reported, the consensus among credible organizations and reports indicates that the number of political prisoners in Belarus is indeed over 1,000, making it one of the highest in Europe.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Belarus holds over 1,000 political prisoners, the highest in Europe, is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The reports from the U.S. State Department, the Washington Post, and Viasna all confirm that the number of political prisoners in Belarus is significant and continues to rise, reflecting the ongoing repression under the Lukashenko regime.
