#FreeViasna: Latest news about jailed Viasna human rights defenders
On September 17, #FreeViasna campaign of solidarity with the imprisoned Viasna members was launched. Here’s the latest news about them.
The prosecutor appealed the verdict in the Viasna case
The prosecutor appealed the verdict of the Lieninski District Court of Minsk of March 3, which sentenced the three political prisoners of human rights "Viasna" to 7 to 10 years in a colony, Valiantsin Stefanovic, who was sentenced to nine years in prison, wrote in a letter from jail. To recap, the prosecutor Aliaksandr Karol asked for two more years of imprisonment and higher fines than Judge Maryna Zapasnik imposed. The appeal will be heard on April 21 at the Minsk Municipal court by Judge Sviatlana Bandarenka.
“I think that our terms were not to their liking, they consider them too lenient,” wrote Stefanovic.
Prosecutor appeals the verdict in Viasna case
“Guarantee the integrity of all Viasna activists”
The Belgian organization Action of Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) proposes to appeal to the authorities of Belarus with a call to cancel the court sentences of the imprisoned Viasna human rights defenders and to unconditionally release them and all political prisoners.
The appeal emphasizes harsh sentences to Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski, his deputy Valiantsin Stefanovic and lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich. Human rights defenders were convicted at a time of war and the tightening of Lukashenka's regime, unceasing repression and torture in Belarus, and total suppression of the voices of society, which is deprived of freedom of thought and expression.
ACAT calls to guarantee the integrity of all Viasna activists
Natallia Pinchuk, the wife of Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, visited Lithuania
Natallia Pinchuk visited Lithuania during the Weeks of Solidarity with political prisoner and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski in Poland and Lithuania.
In Vilnius, Natallia Pinchuk presented a couple of books about the Viasna head and her husband. The book Ales was published by the Belarusian PEN and Ales Bialiatski on Radio Liberty was published by Radio Liberty Library.
“We see that the name of Ales united us, gathered us in these walls. And it is very important now to speak not only about Ales, but also about all those who are behind bars in Belarus.
It is important for us to raise our voice—our Belarusian voice—so that we can be heard here, abroad,” said Natallia Pinchuk during the presentation.
Ms. Pinchuk also gave a speech at the European Humanities University at the meeting “Ales Bialiatski, Fighter for Freedom”.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the EHU for the opportunity to speak about political prisoners and also about Ales,” she said during the meeting.
Natallia Pinchuk met with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis. He promised to continue Lithuanian support to Belarusians who suffered from repression.
Natallia Pinchuk also met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who commented:
“I had the honor of speaking with Natallia Pinchuk. And when I met her in person, I realized once again what a courageous, brave woman she is, with a good heart.
I know what it is like when your husband is behind bars, when you don't know how he feels and how to help him. And it really inspires me that, despite all of the hardships, Natalliaa has not became callous and does not even appear tired of that. She radiates so much incredible warmth that it makes me feel better, too.
I admire her strength and the strength of Ales Bialiatski. These people are the real pride of Belarus.”
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Natallia Pinchuk both faced political arrests of their husbands.
Natallia Pinchuk and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressed the second Summit for Democracy co-hosted by President Joe Biden.
“The hardest lesson we’ve learned these years is that Freedom is never given for free, it comes with a demand. And independence is not guaranteed forever either. These values require courage, responsibility, and self-sacrifice. They need people who are ready to put the interests of others first,” Natallia Pinchuk said during her online speech.
Also during her visit to Vilnius, Natallia Pinchuk attended a meeting with diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in Minsk.
“We call for authorities in Minsk to release all political prisoners and look to the day when all Belarusians can return home safely,” the Embassy representatives posted online.
Leanid Sudalenka has been behind bars for more than 800 days
Viasna Homieĺ branch head Leanid Sudalenka was detained on January 18, 2021. He was sentenced by Judge Siarhei Salouski to three years in a general-security penal colony. Last January the human rights defender was transported to penal colony No. 3.
Symbolic “godmother” sends letter of support to Marfa Rabkova
Agnieszka Brugger, a member of the German Bundestag who has joined the #WeStandByYou campaign and taken on godparenthood on Marfa Rabkova, sent a letter of support to the human rights activist after her appeal to the Supreme Court.
“Dear Marfa Rabkova,
With your courageous and unwavering commitment to human rights, democracy, and freedom, you remain an incredibly outstanding role model for me and many people around the world. We stand with you in firm solidarity, and I assure you that we will keep thinking of you, draw attention to your situation, and advocate on your side until you and your fellows finally receive justice and freedom.”
Marfa Rabkova has been transferred to Homieĺ penal colony No. 4 on March 15. Volunteer Andrei Chapiuk has been transported to penal colony No. 22 in Ivacevičy. Since the sentence against them came into force, they are no longer allowed to be sent packages and parcels. Both are on the “terrorist list”, so they are not allowed to receive money transfers in the colony as well.
