Ales Bialiatski helps Amnesty International “write for rights” (video)
Amnesty International’s Flemmish office has produced a series of videos featuring former prisoner of conscience from Belarus Ales Bialiatski, whose release was made possible thanks to global solidarity campaigns.
The videos have been release within the global campaign “Write For Rights 2015”, Amnesty International’s action which takes place each December. Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world write letters to those they never met, but who do need their support.
“Across the world, people’s freedom is under threat. Activists are locked up just for expressing their opinions. Protestors are tortured and wrongfully imprisoned. Young girls are forced to get married. Our letters, words and actions will put pressure on authorities to take immediate action, so these people can be free to live their lives,” says Amnesty International.
“There was an avalanche of letters and postcards. On New Year’s Day, I read hundreds of messages. Honestly, I did not miss a single one. It was an indescribable New Year’s Day,” says Ales Bialiatski, the hero of Write For Rights 2012.
The efforts of Amnesty International united about one hundred thousand people who supported the Belarusian prisoner of conscience.
This year, the human rights activist is starring in a number of videos in support of the campaign and current prisoners of conscience. Ales Bialiatski urges everyone to join the letter-writing marathon by sending messages both to the authorities and the people whose rights were violated.
“Human rights defender Ales is free. He can breathe free air. Albert Woodfox can’t. 43 years in solitary confinement. Write to him at schrijfmarathon.be.”
"Human rights defender Ales is free. He can go where he wants. Girls in Burkina Faso can’t. Get married at 11. Write to them at schrijfmarathon.be.”
"Human rights defender Ales is free. He can write what he wants. Muhammad Bekzhanov can’t. 16 years in prison. Write to him at schrijfmarathon.be.”
"Human rights defender Ales is free. He can do household chores. Teodora del Carmen Vásquez can’t. Sentenced to 30 years for a miscarriage. Write to her at schrijfmarathon.be.”
"Human rights defender Ales is free. He can read what he wants. Waleed Abu al-Khair can’t. 15 years in prison for his human rights activities. Write to him at schrijfmarathon.be.”
"Human rights defender Ales is free. He can drink coffee with his wife. Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala can’t. Under threat of the death penalty for their views. Write to them at schrijfmarathon.be.”
