Opposition launches one-stop-shop service for reprisal victims

October 27, Pozirk. The opposition transition cabinet has announced the launch of a one-stop-shop service for providing social support to victims of politically-motivated persecution in Belarus.

Designed by the cabinet’s office for social policy, the service represents “an information and consultation platform” listing information about possible assistance, it noted.

Its database contains 245 organizations, including Belarusian state-run ones, exiled NGOs and local initiatives abroad. Currently, the service is running in a test mode.

Belarusians often seek legal help for their imprisoned family members, information on safely leaving Belarus, and assistance in applying for pensions or medical rehabilitation, Volha Harbunova, the cabinet’s social policy representative, noted.

“We can unite and help each other as our summer We Do Care! online fundraiser in support of political prisoners and their families demonstrated,” she said.

Harbunova described the new service as the next step in the history of mutual support. “I believe that we can resist the authoritarian regime’s attempts to turn us against each other,” she added.

The service offers assistance via the phone, chat, email and by.social website that lists all contacts. It is free of charge and confidential yet the Belarus-based users are encouraged to use VPN for security reasons.