Support for Political Prisoners in Belarus

In 2024, the Belarusian regime's far-reaching crackdown on critics continued to reach new heights, with peaceful protesters from 2020 and people who have shown solidarity with Ukraine and have spoken out against the Russian war of aggression still subject to harsh oppression and gross violations of human rights. Currently, over 1,200 persons are held as political prisoners behind bars under inhuman conditions and isolated from their loved ones. Thanks to your support, we can continue to help the victims of repression in Belarus!

In the context of the ongoing persecution and criminalisation of Belarusian civic associations, there is an absence of non-governmental instances capable of speaking out and advocating for political prisoners.Consequently, it is of utmost importance that Members of Parliaments and societies throughout Europe take a stand in support of the political prisoners in Belarus. A significant indication of solidarity with political prisoners and a political expression of support for them is to become a godparent within our #WeStandBYyou godparenthood campaign. In 2024, we successfully acquired 45 new godparenthoods from MPs across Europe for political prisoners, and by the end of the year, the total number of initiated godparenthoods was over 500!

The godparents don't just provide mental support to political prisoners and their families, knowing that their plight is not forgotten. With our encouragement, they are actively involved in improving the human rights situation in Belarus, campaigning for the release of political prisoners and raising public awareness through hundreds of social media posts. We are very grateful to our very active godparents. They have sent countless letters to prisons and Belarusian embassies. At least 8 meetings were held with the families of political prisoners in 2024, which helped them enormously by showing support and listening to their stories.

The godparents also have worked tirelessly in their respective parliaments on behalf of political prisoners: They called for stricter sanctions against the Belarusian regime and urged their governments to take action against human rights violations. Such motions were passed in Switzerland, Germany, the UK and other national parliaments, as well as in the European Parliament.

International pressure and public awareness are important tools in advocating for political prisoners suffering from arbitrary and inhumane detention. Through the godparenthood campaign we are not only able to sensitise politicians and civil society to the fate of the victims of repression in Belarus, but also to provide them with solidarity and support. Sadly, the repression will continue in 2025, so our work must continue in the hope of freedom for Belarus. Speaking at a Libereco event, Uladzimir Astapenka, representative of the Belarusian Transitional Cabinet in exile, spoke about the importance of solidarity: "With the role of solidarity, with the support of the international community, with the support of the friends of Belarus, we will perceive in the liberation of all our freedom fighters, all those who stand for good in their fight against evil."

We are grateful for your support in enabling us to continue our godparenthood campaign and initiatives on behalf of the political prisoners in Belarus.