#FreeViasna: Weekly news digest on Viasna’s imprisoned human rights defenders
On September 17, dozens of Belarusian and international human rights groups launched #FreeViasna, the campaign of solidarity with the imprisoned human rights activists of Viasna. Here’s the latest news about the Viasna members held behind bars.
Paris Mayor sends a letter to Ales Bialiatski
The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo sent a letter in support of Ales Bialiatski, himself an honorary citizen of the French capital.
“I observe that these unjustified repressions, which hit the Human Rights Center "Viasna" hard, are widely condemned by the international community.
As you are an Honorary Citizen of the City of Paris, I want to tell you that I will do everything in my power, together with the associations, whose main mission is to influence the unbearable decision to deprive you of your fundamental freedoms,” Anne Hidalgo wrote.
- The mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo
Support Ales by writing to him:
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SIZO-1, 220030, Minsk, vulica Valadarskaha 2 Ales Bialiatski (Аляксандру Віктаравічу Бяляцкаму) |
In letters to his wife, Valiantsin Stefanovich tells about his life in detention
Human rights activist Valiantsin Stefanovich sent letters to his wife Alina, in which he told how he improves his teaching skills, telling a dozen of his cellmates about wars and drawing maps. He also stresses the feeling of support he receives.
“Even sitting here and not having full information, I feel great support coming from outside. One day, unknown people topped up my prison account, and then someone sent apples by mail. I know that my colleagues have not forgotten about me. It makes it much easier for me to be here,” Valiantsin wrote.
You can write to Valiantsin:
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SIZO-1, 220030, Minsk, vulica Valadarskaha 2 Valiantsin Stefanovich (Стэфановічу Валянціну Канстанцінавічу) |
Leanid Sudalenka: “I am still with the main things – my conscience and the truth”
Leanid Sudalenka received many birthday greetings and replied to them.
In one of his letters he wrote:
“I have already lost and will lose my freedom in the future, but I am still with the main things – my conscience and the truth. And with them, I fear no trials. Everything passes and it will pass. I have been defending other people’s rights for twenty years and I could not imagine that this aid will be turned into a criminal case.”
- A letter Leanid Sudalenka sent in reply to birthday greetings
Support Leanid with a postcard or a letter:
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SIZO-3, 246003, Homieĺ, vul. Knižnaja, 1A Leanid Leanidavich Sudalenka (Леаніду Леанідавічу Судаленку) |
Tatsiana Lasitsa refused to write a pardon petition
According to Leanid Sudalenka’s letter, volunteer Tatsiana Lasitsa was also offered to write a pardon petition, but refused to ask for Lukashenka’s clemency.
“Of course, we did not sing any petitions. Let them say for themselves that human rights equals crime,” says he in the letter.
You can write to Tatsiana:
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SIZO-3, 246003, Homieĺ, vul. Knižnaja, 1A Tatsiana Lasitsa (Таццяне Леанідаўне Ласіцы) |
One year since the detention of volunteer Andrei Chapiuk
A year ago, on October 2, GUBAZIK officers detained Viasna volunteer Andrei Chapiuk.
On October 9, he was charged under Part 2 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code, “participation in riots”, and on January 28, Andrei faced new charges under Part 2 of Art. 285 of the Criminal Code, “participation in a criminal organization in any other form.”
For the past 12 months, Andrei has been kept in pre-trial detention center No. 1 for his peaceful human rights activities and assistance to repressed people.
Please write to Andrei:
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SIZO-1, 220030, Minsk, vulica Valadarskaha 2 Andrei Chapiuk (Андрэю Сяргеевічу Чапюку) |
You can also send your words of support to Uladzimir Labkovich and Marfa Rabkova:
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SIZO-1, 220030, Minsk, vulica Valadarskaha 2 Uladzimir Labkovich (Уладзіміру Мікалаевічу Лабковічу) |
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SIZO-1, 220030, Minsk, vulica Valadarskaha 2 Marfa Rabkova (Марыі Аляксандраўне Рабковай) |
