Nineteen Nobel Prize winners have come together to urge former U.S. President Donald Trump to continue advocating for the release of around 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus. The group sent an open letter expressing their gratitude to Trump for discussing this issue with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during a recent phone call. They emphasized the importance of freeing these prisoners, highlighting that it would not only bring justice to those affected but also help foster reconciliation in the country.
Among the signatories are notable figures like Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias and literature laureates Svetlana Alexievich and Herta Müller. The letter also called for an end to politically motivated prosecutions, which could pave the way for many Belarusians who fled the country during the protests following the disputed 2020 election to return home.
Trump’s involvement came shortly after an email from Dmitry Bolkunets, an exiled Belarusian opposition activist. In his message, Bolkunets encouraged Trump to address the plight of these prisoners during his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. He even mentioned that they would consider nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he helped secure the prisoners’ release.
On social media, Trump later shared that he had a productive conversation with Lukashenko, thanking him for the release of 16 individuals and discussing the potential release of many more. This unexpected outreach was seen as a significant move, especially given Lukashenko’s long-standing isolation from the West due to his human rights record.
Bolkunets expressed optimism about Trump’s intervention, suggesting that it put pressure on Lukashenko to act. He noted that the timing of Trump’s call was likely influenced by his email, as the two events occurred just hours apart.
Since mid-2024, Belarus has released several hundred individuals convicted of politically related offenses, which some analysts interpret as Lukashenko’s attempt to improve relations with the West. Despite this, the Belarusian leader maintains that there are no political prisoners in his country.
The call to action from the Nobel laureates highlights a growing concern over human rights in Belarus and reflects a broader desire for political change in the region.
