Four Scottish MPs take on a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus
As part of #WeStandBYyou campaign, Kenneth Gibson (Scottish National Party), Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party), Paul Sweeney (Scottish Labour) and Ruth Maguire (Scottish National Party) become godparents of Artsiom Kasakouski, Zhanna Volkava, Hanna Karniayenka and Kseniya Khоdyrаva.
Artsiom Kasakouski, who worked as an optician, has been in custody since 27 September 2020 for allegedly taking part in mass riots during protests against the rigged presidential election. He also painted some bus stops with the opposition Belarusian flag, a symbol of freedom and democracy. The charges against him included “participation in riots” (Article 293), “violation of public order” (Article 342) and “desecration of buildings and damage to property” (Article 341). The court found Artsiom guilty on all counts and sentenced him to a total of 6.5 years in prison.
Kenneth Gibson is a Scottish MP for the Scottish National Party. He takes on the godparenthood for Artsiom Kasakouski and explains: “As a Member of the Scottish Parliament, where debate with opposing parties can often be robust, we must always remember all the brave people across the world who fight for the basic civil liberties such as the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly which we sometimes take for granted. One of them is Artsiom Kasakousk. His sentence was extended by 18 months because he drew some white-red-white Belarus flags – the historic flag used by the Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918 before Polish and Bolshevik occupation – on bus stops. To Artsiom and his family and friends I want to express my admiration for his bravery and my support for them and the struggle for human rights in Belarus during this difficult time.”
Zhanna Volkava was arrested at her children’s school on 11 May 2023 and placed in pre-trial detention for her comments on the internet. Zhana was subsequently charged with “disturbing public order” (Article 342), “promoting extremist activities” (Article 361-4) and “insulting the president” (Article 368) and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
Clare Haughey (Scottish National Party) stands in solidarity with Zhanna Volkava with her godparenthood and holds firm: “I am pleased to be able to show my support for Zhanna Volkava, who is now serving 3 years in a Belarusian prison, and my thoughts are with her and her family. It is almost unimaginable that what should have an unremarkable day when she visited her child’s school turned into the start of such a nightmarish experience. Her imprisonment is a terrible abuse of human rights by the Lukashenko regime, and I call for her to be released. For the sake of Zhanna and her children, and for all of the prisoners and their families who are affected by these unjust and inhumane sentences, they must all be released unconditionally and immediately.”
Hanna Karniayenka worked as an accountant but was unlawfully dismissed for taking part in a strike during the 2020 protests. She was arrested on 15 January 2023 and charged with “unlawful acts relating to personal data” (Article 203-1) and “incitement to hatred” (Article 130). The judge sentenced Hanna to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Paul Sweeney is Scottish Labour’s deputy spokesman. As Hanna Karniayenka’s new godparent, he has issued the following statement in support of her: “I am supporting the Belarusian political prisoner Hanna Karniayenka and call for her unconditional release. Since the 2020 Belarusian presidential election the Lukashenko regime has brutally repressed any freedom of expression, as documented and condemned by many international organisations and democratic governments. Hanna was sentenced to 5 years in prison purely for her political actions as she sought the rights of the Belarusian people to choose their own leader. This sentence is unjust and I call for Hanna to be released, along with all other political prisoners in Belarus.”
Kseniya Khоdyrаva received an award as the best graduate of the State University in 2018, and is a passionate football player and dancer. She was arrested on 10 October 2023 for making donations to Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Kseniya was sentenced to 5 years in a penal colony for “financing extremist activities” (Article 361-2) and “participating in or preparing hostilities on foreign soil” (Article 361-3).
Ruth Maguire (Scottish National Party) takes over the godparenthood for Kseniya Khоdyrаva and states: “The situation in Belarus is a grave warning for all of Europe. Lukashenko’s grab for power in 2020, and the subsequent crackdown on dissent, underscored both the importance of democratic processes and the necessity of defending human rights wherever they are threatened. As authoritarianism looms at the edges of Europe, the need for international solidarity in defending freedom and justice has never been more urgent. The resistance of the Belarusian people and the strength of people like Kseniya are testament to their character. Kseniya’s courage in supporting political opposition movements, despite receiving a five-year prison sentence, inspires hope for the people of Belarus and cannot be understated. These simple acts of courage by Belarusians give hope to us all that the stifling atmosphere of political oppression in Belarus can be overcome. In raising awareness of Kseniya’s situation, and what others face every day in Belarus, it is my wish that support for her and others like her grows and we amplify that hope and strength.”
