Lithuania’s diplomats show solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners

May 21, BPN. The story of each political prisoner is evidence of the ongoing crackdown in Belarus, the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry has said on the day of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners.

Belarusian opposition observes it on May 21, in memory of jailed activist Vitold Ašurak who died in prison under unclear circumstances on this day two years ago.

“Over 1500 names are on the political prisoners’ list in Belarus,” the Lithuanian foreign ministry tweeted. “We say to all those unjustly imprisoned: We stand by you every day.”

Belarusian diaspora activists are holding several events on May 21 including a rally in central Vilnius. Diplomats from Czechia, Estonia, Ireland, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United States joined the public reading of political prisoners’ names in front of the Belarusian embassy.

Rallies in solidarity with the Belarusian political prisoners will take place in 39 cities in 19 countries, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

As of May 21, human rights defenders identified at least 1,525 political prisoners in Belarus.