Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Today I heard that instead of lists for the complete release of all innocent people from prisons, which are long overdue, the regime decided to compile a list of “terrorists” from those already imprisoned. I would like to remind you that Maryia Kalesnikava, Maksim Znak and all these people are the finest representatives of our country. The KGB devalues the meaning of the serious word “terrorism” by using it for teachers, artists, journalists, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, who, for their whole lives, have been creating, not destroying. We all want to see them free.
And I consider it my duty to stress that while these people are in prison, their families need help. Recently I saw this question: why doesn't my team help political prisoners financially? I will answer: politically imprisoned Belarusians receive direct support from human rights organizations and foundations. They collect and distribute aid that comes from the international community and Belarusians. And what my team and I aim to do is to support their work and shape political will for new aid programs, like rehabilitation programs for prisoners’ children. I never stop being a mother who cannot explain to her children that their dad was “sentenced” to 18 years. I speak with mothers like me, fathers, children and sisters of prisoners – and this is why every day, at all visits and all meetings, I talk about how much the work of lawyers costs and what it takes for many to find ways to support their relatives”.
A Country to Live in Foundation offers an opportunity to support the families of political prisoners.
Dissidentby says there are now at least 1,464 families of those imprisoned in Belarus on political grounds. A Country to Live in foundation continues to support the families of political prisoners. Families need help – to pay for a lawyer’s services, packages and parcels, and simply to live somehow. So far, the Foundation has received 51 appeals from relatives of political prisoners.
Each of us can help the families and friends of the brave and innocent Belarusians who are behind bars. Let's help these people together – because our solidarity still works wonders.
Here you can donate any amount: https://ru.stranafund.org/blog/fund/pomosh-politzakluchennym
And here you can become a member of the Family Friend solidarity program: https://forms.gle/KybmhUX7ViYGdFzeA
