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There should not be a single political prisoner in Belarus, and the country must stop being a prison for its people. This was stated by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in her address marking the Day of Solidarity with Belarusian Political Prisoners.
“Five years ago, the first death of a political prisoner occurred — Vitold Ashurak died in the penal colony in Shklou. His death became a horrific consequence of what the regime does to people behind bars. His death is a wound that has not healed. And this day is now a day of solidarity with everyone who is imprisoned today.
More than 800 people. That is the number of recognised political prisoners in Belarus today. But the real figure is even higher. Because there are people we do not know about, families who are afraid to speak out, and cases that never make the news.
But political prisoners are people with names, families, destinies and dreams. People punished on arbitrary charges, for a comment or a donation, for a photograph, for silent dissent.
Every day in detention means deteriorating health, years away from loved ones, sleeping under lights, cold, poor-quality food, lack of proper medical care. And a yellow badge on prison clothing as a sign that you are ‘dangerous’.
My husband was forced to clean his cell four times a day. One former political prisoner recounted how she fell asleep standing and nearly collapsed onto the concrete floor because she had spent five days without proper sleep. Siarhei Tsikhanouski made three suicide attempts. And how many such stories are there that we simply never learned about?
I know what it is like to wait for a loved one to come back from prison. To live between hope and fear. And still keep going. Because children are waiting for you. Because you have no right to give up. My husband spent more than five years behind bars and I remember every day of that waiting. When your heart tightens from news about transfers, punishment cells, and the absence of letters. This is pain that I share with thousands of Belarusian families.
More than a year ago, thanks to American diplomacy, thanks to international pressure, and thanks to our joint efforts, people began to be released, and we sincerely rejoice for every person who regains freedom.
This also happened because we did not remain silent. Because throughout all these years we worked with the international community and told the world about those whom the regime wanted to hide from the world. We named names, collected assistance, and wrote letters. Human rights defenders, families of political prisoners, journalists, diplomats, volunteers and everyone who cared — all of us did our part.
But leaving prison does not yet mean truly becoming free. Many live under surveillance and multiple restrictions, many were forcibly expelled abroad and left without documents. The prison term ended — the persecution did not. And they need support and our attention no less than those who remain behind bars.
There should not be a single political prisoner in Belarus. Not one. Over these years, we have almost become accustomed to it: hundreds of names on lists of political prisoners, daily detentions, reports of torture — all of this has begun to seem like a new normal. But this is not normal. It must not become normal.
We will continue to fight so that every person can regain freedom.
Belarus must not be a prison for its people.”, she said.
Today, the Third Congress on Political Prisoners of Belarus #WithoutJustCause begins in Vilnius. On May 19, an event dedicated to the congress was already held in Poznań, Poland. It focused on repressed youth.
The congress will bring together human rights defenders, politicians, diplomats, representatives of Belarusian civil society and the diaspora. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will also take part.