Latest news about jailed Viasna human rights defenders

We collected news on Viasna team members who are behind bars.

An American senator showed portraits of Belarusian political prisoners during an official speech. Ales Bialiatski was among those portrayed

On January 9, during a hearing on political prisoners in the U.S. Senate, Senator Richard Durbin mentioned political prisoners Ales Bialiatski, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Ihar Losik, Andrei Kuznechyk and showed their photos during his speech.

In his speech, Durbin highlighted the plight of political prisoners openly advocating for democracy and fundamental freedoms in five countries (Belarus, Russia, Cambodia, Algeria, and Guatemala) and called for their immediate release, Radio Svaboda writes.

It has been 2.5 years since the arrest of Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovich, and Uladzimir Labkovich

On July 14, 2021, they and other Viasna activists were searched. The human rights defenders were accused of "smuggling" and "financing group actions that grossly violate public order."

On March 3, judge Maryna Zapasnik sentenced Viasna activists to long terms: Uladzimir Labkovich to 7 years in a penal colony, Valiantsin Stefanovich to 9 years in a penal colony, Ales Bialiatski to 10 years in a penal colony. The human rights defenders have not admitted their guilt under any article that was imputed to them.

Political prisoners and human rights defenders were added to the "list of extremists".

1200 days have passed since political prisoner and Viasna volunteer Andrei Chapiuk is behind bars

In September 2022, Andrei was sentenced to 6 years in a penal colony. Chapiuk was charged under Part 1 of Article 13, Part 2 of Article 293 (preparation for participation in mass riots), Part 2 of Article 285 (participation in a criminal organization), Part 1 of Article 130 (inciting other social hatred), Article 341 (desecration of buildings and damage to property; for graffiti directed against the European Games in 2019).

Later, the Supreme Court reduced his sentence by three months, i. e. to 5 years and 9 months of imprisonment. In March, Chapiuk was transferred to the Ivacevičy colony.

"I can compare her to a precious stone." A former political prisoner spent 10 months in Valadarka prison with Marfa Rabkova

Here's what she says about the coordinator of Viasna volunteer service:

"I can compare her to a precious stone. She is the kind person you rarely meet. Probably, there are no such people. Or there are, but there are very few of them. Because she has her own position. She was constantly working on herself. This is a person who has a core."

Recall that Marfa was detained on September 17, 2020. Later, the human rights defender was accused under a number of articles of the Criminal Code for the events of 2016–2020 and sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.

Following the appeal, Marfa's sentence was reduced by three months. The verdict came into force and Rabkova was transferred to the Homieĺ colony.

How else to support Viasna team?

1. Letters of solidarity are the strongest support from outside. You can send your letters via regular mail, as well as through electronic services:

• Maysternya Pashtovak Salidarnasci
• pismo.bel

You can also send telegrams at the post office or by phone number 166 (only from the landline) and dictate the text. Do not forget to leave your name in the text of the telegram.

2. An equally significant support is the dissemination of information. We urge you to tell your relatives, friends, colleagues, and directly on social media about the Viasna team and other political prisoners. Be sure to use the hashtag #FreeViasna. 

3. Sign the petition for the release of the Viasna team members and all political prisoners of Belarus!

4. Support Viasna on Patreon or with a one-time donation.

More news about Viasna team on the website freeviasna.org