Marfa Rabkova's "godmother" congratulated the political prisoner on her birthday: "You inspire many people far beyond the borders of Belarus"

January 6 is the birthday of Marfa Rabkova, the coordinator of the Viasna volunteer service. This is the fourth time in a row she celebrated it imprisoned. Marfa turned 29 years old.

The deputy of the German Bundestag Agnieszka Brugger, who is the "godmother" of the Viasna human rights activist, wrote a poignant birthday letter to Marfa as part of the #WeStandByYou campaign.

Dear Marfa!

On your 29th birthday, I wish you, first of all, good health, preserving your incredible courage, strength, endurance, and all the best. With your commitment to democracy, human rights and freedom, you inspire many people far beyond the borders of Belarus.

The incredibly harsh punishment for your peaceful commitment to democracy and human rights in Belarus shocked me and many other deputies of the German Bundestag. We are also very concerned about your health.

Therefore, in the summer I wrote an open letter to the relevant authorities of Belarus calling for immediate access to urgently needed medical care and compliance with the United Nations minimum standards in the treatment of prisoners. A total of 101 deputies from all democratic factions of the German Bundestag signed this letter, in which they strongly demanded the immediate and unconditional release of you and all political prisoners in Belarus.

I am telling you about this letter so that you know that we will not forget you and your colleagues and will continue to advocate for your voices to be heard. As democratically elected parliamentarians, we stand with unshakable solidarity on your side and on the side of numerous courageous people in Belarus who are devoted to democracy, freedom, and human rights.

We were also particularly moved by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's speech at our party meeting a few weeks ago. It also shows that we have not forgotten all the courageous and freedom-loving people. The day before, I had the opportunity to exchange thoughts with her in a private setting, and we also talked about your fate.

I have the greatest respect and deep admiration for your courage and perseverance.

It is on your birthday that it seems to me absolutely unbearable that you cannot live in freedom with your family and friends. That's why I wish you, your family, your friends and colleagues a lot of strength, endurance, and health this year. But first of all, as in recent years, I wish you more than anything else to see justice done and to celebrate all your subsequent birthdays in freedom.

With respect and solidarity, Agnieszka Brugger

Recall that the coordinator of Viasna volunteer service Marfa Rabkova was detained together with her husband on the evening of September 17, 2020 and taken to the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption. Her apartment was searched; her devices, personal money, and belongings were confiscated. 

On September 6, 2022, political prisoner Marfa Rabkova was sentenced to 15 years in prison under a number of articles of the Criminal Code for the events of 2016–2020. According to the results of the appeal, Marfa's sentence was reduced by only three months. The sentence came into force, and she was escorted to the Homieĺ colony. 

International human rights organizations have spoken out in support of Marfa Rabkova and demanded her immediate release: Amnesty International, Front Line Defenders, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, and many others.

How can I wish Marfa Rabkova a happy Birthday?

• you can send a postcard, telegram, or letter with congratulations and warm words online

• talk about Marfa on social media using hashtags #FreeMarfa #FreeViasna

• come up with your own creative way and tell others