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Belarusian Popular Front hoping for release of all political prisoners

The Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) hopes that the remaining political prisoners will be freed, the party's Soym (Council) says in a statement in a statement issued on Monday following the release of Andrey Sannikaw and Dzmitry Bandarenka.

"The BPF heartily welcomes the newly released prisoners of conscience," the statement says. "At the same time, the BPF points out that the release of all political prisoners is only the first and the most basic step necessary for normalizing the situation in the country."

The modernization of the Belarusian economy and also political modernization are critically important for ensuring state sovereignty, the Soym says. By ensuring the independence of the judiciary, restoring the rule of law and democratizing the electoral process, the government would guarantee that no one else in Belarus is ever imprisoned for political motives, the Soym says.

To carry out reform, the government should start a dialogue with opposition forces and reengage with the European Union and its individual countries using "favorable partnership mechanisms," the statement says. //BelaPAN