Merkel Urges Belarus to End Repression, Free Political Prisoners
- Lukashenko has been cracking down on protesters since August
- Belarus leader has been in charge for more than 26 years
Activists protests against police violence in Minsk, on Jan. 16.
Photographer: Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
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Germany and the European Union will continue to hold the Belarus government responsible for ongoing violations of human rights in the country, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her weekly video message.
The elections in the country six months ago were not free, fair or transparent and neither Germany nor the EU accept Alexander Lukashenko as the winner, Merkel said, adding leaders in Minsk should end repression, release political prisoners and respect their citizens’ right to free speech.