From May 23 to 25, Prague is hosting the #WithoutJustCause Congress on Political Prisoners. The event features representatives from leading Belarusian human rights organizations and humanitarian initiatives, legal experts, Belarusian and international politicians and diplomats, as well as former political prisoners and their families.
The event is organized by the Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic with the support of the US Embassy.
The congress will feature discussions on the following topics:
- Trends in repression in Belarus and recent challenges (2020–2024)
- Vulnerable groups in prison: minors, people with disabilities and illnesses, LGBTQIA+, women, believers, anarchists
- Challenges faced by the families of political prisoners
- What politicians can do for political prisoners
- Why political prisoners leave Belarus: statistics, and visa issues
- Institutional support for (former) political prisoners
- Opportunities for (former) political prisoners: healthcare, psychological support, resocialization, education, and employment
- Independent media and coverage of political prisoner issues. Media projects
The speakers include:
- Kryścina Šyjanok – Office of Democratic Forces of Belarus in Prague
- Jan Marian – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
- Oleksandra Matviichuk – Nobel Peace Prize laureate
- Ekaterina Deikalo – Belarusian Helsinki Committee
- Leanid Sudalenka – Viasna
- Viachaslau Kasinerau – DissidentBY
- Maryia Kolesava-Hudzilina – Belarusian Society of Human Rights Defenders
- Dzmitry Lepretar – Lawyer
- Volha Vialichka – Physicians for Truth and Justice
- Yauheniya Douhaya – Head of the “Politzvyazinka” initiative
- Natallia Vasilevich – Christian Vision
- Relatives of political prisoners: Viktoryia Palchys, Hanna Kanavalava, Valery Arabeika
- Volha Zazulinskaya – A Country to Live in
- Philip Hauryshau – INeedHelpBy
- Franak Viacorka – Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
- Volha Harbunova – United Transitional Cabinet
- Tatsiana Khomich – Coordination Council
- Mateusz Gniazowski – Polish Ambassador to the Czech Republic
- Vytis Jurkonis – Freedom House in Lithuania
- Aliaksei Liavonchik – BYhelp
- Veranika Stankevich – Volnyja
- Magda Pytlakowska-Wasielewska – Belarusian Solidarity Center
- Hanna Sous – Radio Liberty
- Aleh Aheeu – Belarusian Association of Journalists
- Tatsiana Kavalionak – Politzek.me
- Alina Koushyk – United Transitional Cabinet
- Aliaksei Dzikavitski – Belsat
- And many others.
