Opposition leader calls for support of political prisoners on solidarity day
May 21, Pozirk. Belarusians should prioritize helping jailed victims of politically-motivated reprisals, opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said in her video address on the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus.
Those who are free may consider joining support networks, donating to charity funds, holding solidarity events, helping human rights groups document reprisals and rights violations and sharing information via social media, she stressed.
“We may be tired and confused by the events around us but people behind bars sacrifice every day of their lives for a free Belarus,” Cichanoŭskaja noted. “Today, you and I represent their voices and their hopes. We have no right to let our heroes down.”
Alaksandar Łukašenka sees people as “expendable material, which has no value” and this is the reason people keep dying behind bars, she said.
The International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus on May 21 commemorates Vitold Ašurak who died under unclear circumstances in prison on this day three years ago.
At least five more political prisoners have died in in captivity since then: Mikałaj Klimovič, Aleś Puškin, Vadzim Chraśko, Ihar Lednik and Alaksandar Kulinič.
“All political prisoners must be unconditionally freed and rehabilitated,” said the European External Action Service in an X message marking the day.
Šarenda-Panasiuk may face new charges after serving prison term
May 21, Pozirk. Opposition activist Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk was to be released today, but she is held at Homiel’s pre-trial detention center, the Viasna Human Rights Center says, citing her husband Andrej Šarenda. The Investigative Committee reportedly arrested her for three …