New godparents for Belarusian political prisoners
As part of the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou of Libereco, Frank Heinrich (CDU), Ivan Štefanec (KDH), Konstantin Von Notz (Alliance90/The Greens), Annette Widmann-Mauz (CDU), Dietrich Monstadt (CDU) and Rudolf Henke (CDU) have taken over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus.
Viachaslau Sheliamet is only 19 years old. He was detained on suspicion of participating in mass riots under Article 293 of the Belarusian Criminal Code.
- Frank Heinrich, member of the Committee for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid in the German Bundestag (CDU)
Frank Heinrich, Member of the German Bundestag and Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, has taken over the godparenthood for Viachaslau Sheliamet and stated: “The peaceful demonstrations after the presidential election, which was neither free nor fair, clearly show that they are not a threat to national and public security. I strongly condemn the numerous repressive measures taken by the political power structures through violence and torture against the peaceful demonstrators in Belarus. I call for the immediate release of Viachaslau Sheliamet – political prisoner – who, as far as I know, exercised his freedom to demonstrate peacefully. Freedom of assembly is a precious fundamental right!”
Hleb Fitsner is a fourth-year student at Minsk State Linguistic University. Hleb was detained on November 12 as part of a criminal case under Article 342 of the Belarusian Criminal Code for having disturbed public order.
- Ivan Štefanec, member of the European Parliament
Ivan Štefanec, member of the European Parliament, has taken over the godparenthood for Hleb Fitsner. On this occasion he stated: “Only who has fought for his freedom is worthy of it”, said our general Mr Stefanik (1880-1919). He was one of the leading figures forming the first independent state of Czechs and Slovaks. I’m proud to adopt Belarusian student Hleb Fitsner who was imprisoned for his will to live in a free country. I call for freedom for this young and brave student.”
Yan Salanovich is a fourth year student of Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR). On November 1, he was detained in a peaceful rally in Minsk. According to his mother, he was interrogated and intimidated, as a result of which he confessed of having participated in peaceful assemblies in August, September and October 2020. As a result, he was sentenced to 86 days of administrative detention.
- Konstantin von Notz, Member of the German Bundestag and deputy chairman of the group Alliance 90/The Greens
Konstantin von Notz, Member of the German Bundestag and deputy chairman of the group Alliance 90/The Greens, has taken over the godparenthood for Yan Salanovich and stated: “The Belarusian people have been fighting for democracy in their country for far too long now. We must support them in their efforts. We must not allow them to be silenced by violence, repression and arbitrary arrests. As a democrat and a parliamentarian, I support the protest of the demonstrators in Belarus. Young people like Yan Salanovich, who are peacefully standing up for democracy, freedom and fair new elections with courage and great stamina, must not be criminalised. It is therefore an honour and a special concern for me to take over this godparenthood. The repression against students must come to an end. I call for due process of law and the release of Yan Salanovich and all those unlawfully detained.”
Yana Arabeika is an activist of the Belarusian Students Association (BSA) and a student of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. She was detained on November 12 and charged under Article 342 of the Belarusian Criminal Code for having disturbed public order.
- Annette Widmann-Mauz, Member of the German Bundestag and Minister of State to the Chancellor
Annette Widmann-Mauz, Member of the German Bundestag and Minister of State to the Chancellor, has taken over the godparenthood for Yana Arabeika and stated: “For many weeks and months, people have been demonstrating peacefully in Belarus for democracy, freedom and the rule of law. Yana Arabeika, a student from Minsk, has also demonstrated on the streets peacefully and expressed her displeasure with the political conditions; she has been in custody since 12 November. Courageous women like Yana Arabeika stand up for a better future of their country. Her exemplary striving for freedom and democracy has earned our solidarity and deepest respect. That is why I call for the immediate release of political prisoners in Belarus.”
Artur Khalimonchyk was detained in Pinsk on August 10 and charged under Article 293 (“participation in mass riots”) of the Belarusian Criminal Code. He is being held in the pre-trial prison in Baranavičy.
- Dietrich Monstadt, Member of the German Bundestag
Dietrich Monstadt, Member of the German Bundestag, has taken over the godparenthood for Artur Khalimonchyk. On this occasion he stated: “The Belarusian people are still fighting for democracy in their country. The demonstrators are demanding fair and free new elections. For this, they deserve our respect and full support. I join the demands to release the mostly young people who are unjustly imprisoned. It is an honour for me to take over the godparenthood for Artur Khalimonchyk. Artur was arrested on 10 August in the city of Pinsk. He is accused of being involved in “mass riots”. I demand his immediate release, as well as that of all other wrongfully arrested political prisoners.”
Siarhei Kapanets was detained following the events of August 9-13. Kapanets was later charged under Article 293 (“participation in mass riots”) of the Belarusian Criminal Code.
- Rudolf Henke, Member of the German Bundestag
Rudolf Henke, Member of the German Bundestag, has taken over the godparenthood for Siarhei Kapanets and stated: “I immediately demand the release of Siarhei Kapanets and all other political prisoners who have been imprisoned in connection with their critics of the presidential election and the resulting protests in Belarus. Siarhei Kapanets, like many other people, has stood up for his fundamental right to freedom of expression and assembly. No one should be imprisoned without due process merely for demonstrating peacefully against Lukashenka’s regime. His regime is illegitimate.”
