Rally in support of political prisoners in Belarus held in Vilnius

August 4, the International Day of Solidarity with the civil society of Belarus, a rally was held in Vilnius to support the political prisoners, still held by Belarus.

The rally was organized by the Belarusian Human Rights House named after Barys Zvoskau and the independent human rights organization Freedom House.

All volunteers could take photos with posters of solidarity at the Town Hall Square, write postcards to the political prisoners and speak with the Belarusian human rights activists, such as Aleh Hulak and Hary Pahaniaila (Belarusian Helsinki Committee), Andrei Paluda (HRC “Viasna”), Alena Tankachova (the Center of Legal Information Lawtred) and young activists about the current situation in Belarus.

The human rights defenders reminded that six Belarusians are still illegally held behind bars for their political views. The existence of political prisoners in Belarus has become systemic since 1996. Several thousand people suffered various kinds of pressurization and repression. Four people, including two political opponents of the incumbent President, went missing, and their cases still haven't received a proper and exhaustive investigation.

At the end of the event its participants walked from the Town Hall Square to the Belarusian Human Rights House, holding portraits of Belarusian political prisoners and posters calling for their immediate release.

The organizers of the rally reminded that on August 4, 2011 a well-known Belarusian human rights activist, head of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski was arrested in Minsk. Though he was released early in June 2014, the pressurization of human rights defenders and political activists continues. The country continues holding at least six political prisoners. In the light of the new elections, appointed on October 11, there are no guarantees that new prisoners won't be taken.

Photos by Barys Zvoskau Human Rights House.