Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus #WithoutJustCause

Second Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus

We invite you to the #WithoutJustCause Congress dedicated to political prisoners in Belarus. Two days, two cities, one goal: to come together, unite efforts, and coordinate work to support political prisoners and their families.

You will have the opportunity to take part in open discussions and share your ideas, get to know initiatives and NGOs, or present your own work. We will discuss common challenges and look for solutions together.

Join us to contribute to the efforts to support political prisoners in Belarus and to fight for their release!

program

September 26 (Warsaw)

September 27 (Warsaw, side event)

September 28 (Poznan)

The first day of the Congress will focus on the overall human rights situation in Belarus, new trends in political repression against Belarusians, and the work of political structures, NGOs, and initiatives aimed at the release and support of political prisoners.

Working languages: Belarusian, Russian, English (simultaneous interpretation will be available)

09:00–09:30

Registration, networking, morning coffee

09:30 – 10:00

Opening. Introductory remarks

Kryścina Šyjanok, Director / Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic
Joanna Gwiazdecka, Director / Representation of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Czechia
Natalla Dulina, political prisoner

10:20 – 11:50

Panel 1: The Human Rights Situation in Belarus in 2025: New Trends and Challenges. Life after Prison

Speakers:

Kaciaryna Dziajkała / Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Anastasija Vasilčuk / Viasna Human Rights Center
Viačasłaŭ Kasinieraŭ / Dissidentby
Maksim Pałavinka / “Right to Defense” project
Leanid Sudalenka / political prisoner

Moderator: Vitaŭt Siŭčyk

11:50 – 12:10

Break

12:10 –13:40

Panel 2: Vulnerable Groups among Political Prisoners

Speakers:

Siarhjej Drazdoŭski / Office for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ONLINE
Ksienija Łuckina, political prisoner
Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk, political prisoner
Dźmitry Karniejenka / Christian Vision
Natalla Dulina, political prisoner

Moderator: Dźmitry Lepretar

13:40 – 14:40

Lunch

14:40 – 15:55

Panel 3: Work of Belarus’ Democratic Forces, Foreign Politicians, and NGOs on the Release and Support of Political Prisoners

Speakers:

Volha Zazulinskaja / United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
Arciom Bruchan / Coordination Council
Nastaśsia Kaściuhova / Coalition for the Release of Political Prisoners
Maćviej Kuprejčyk / BelPol
Manuel Hassel / Libereco

Moderator: Siarhiej Padsasonny

15:55 – 16:00

Group photo (for those who wish)

15:55 – 16:15

Break

16:15 - 17:45

Panel 4: Needs of the NGO Sector Working with (Former) Political Prisoners and their Families. Tools. International Humanitarian Fund

Speakers:

Pavieł Sapiełka / Viasna Human Rights Center
Viačasłaŭ Žukaŭ / A Country to Live in Foundation
Vieranika Stankievič / Volnyja
Berit Lindeman / NHC + International Humanitarian Fund for Victims of Repression in Belarus (IHFRB)

Moderator: Julija Mickievič

17:45 - 18:00

Video address by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Closing ceremony

Festival by the Vistula (Wisła) for former political prisoners and their friends, organized by the Da Voli! Belarusian Association of Political Prisoners
More information: https://t.me/BAP_DA_VOLI/215

Transfer from Warsaw to Poznań

The second day of the Congress will serve as a platform for meetings, sharing ideas and problems, negotiating, and finding solutions. The Activity Fair will be open all day, where every NGO or initiative that supports political prisoners can present its work, as well as presentations by specialized NGOs and initiatives, and discussions in the Fishbowl format.

Working languages: Belarusian, Russian

09:30 - 10:00

Registration, networking

09:30 – 18:00
(all day)

Activity Fair – projects and initiatives of assistance

10:00 - 10:10

Opening. Introductory remarks

Volha Zazulinskaja, Representative for Social Policy / United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
Lavon Marozaŭ, Advisor on Legal Affairs / Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office

10:10 - 10:15

Moderator’s introduction to the working format

Moderator: Uładź Bułaŭski

10:15 – 11:30

Presentation block 1: What Assistance Does Belarusian Civil Society Offer to Former Political Prisoners and Their Families? How to Access It?

10:15–10:25: Dapamoga: Safety, Support, Adaptation, and Integration for Former Political Prisoners (from Day One to Legal Status)
Presenter: Alena M, Mentor / Dapamoga

10:25–10:40 Legal Assistance for Political Prisoners and Their Families by the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers and Free Belarus Center
Presenter: Alvina Minhazava, Lawyer / Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers, Free Belarus Center

10:40–10:55 Volnyja: Resocialization of Political Prisoners
Presenter: Vieranika Stankievič, Coordinator / Volnyja

10:55–11:10 Psychological Support for Belarusians in Russian and Belarusian: Specifics of Group and Individual Counseling
Presenters:

Ivan V., Psychologist / Reforum Vilnius
Natalla Skibskaja, Psychologist

11:10–11:30 Summer Camps for Children of Political Prisoners
Presenters:

Viačasłaŭ Žukaŭ, Project Director / A Country to Live in Foundation
Maryja Hryc, Coordinator / Children’s Camp “Zubrovyja Sciezki”
Julija Juchno, Chair / Talaka Association of Belarusians in Italy

11:30 – 11:50

Break

12:05 - 13:05

Presentation block 2: How Do We Document Political Imprisonment, Torture, and Inhuman Treatment? Why Is This Important?

11:50 – 12:05 Women’s Prison No. 24 in Zarechcha: Testimonies of Torture and Inhuman Treatment
Presenter: Palina Šarenda-Panasiuk, political prisoner

12:05 – 12:20 Documentation as an Element of Recording Torture and Other Inhuman Treatment. The Role of the International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB)
Presenter: Arciom S., lawyer / International Committee for the Investigation of Torture

12:20 – 12:35 Monitoring and Documenting the Persecution of Belarusian Christian Activists
Presenter: Natallia Harkovich, coordinator / Christian Vision for Belarus

12:35 – 12:50 Findings of the Research Study: “Implications of Imprisonment and Exile”
Presenter: Maryna Kasinierava, human rights defender / DissidentBY

12:50 – 13:05 Belarus 2020 Foundation: Creating an Animated Encyclopedia of Belarus’ Contemporary History
Presenter: Sieviaryn Kviatkoŭski, Chair / Belarus 2020 Foundation

13:05 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00 - 15:00

Presentation block 3: Associations of Former Political Prisoners and Their Families

14:00 – 14:15 Association of Political Prisoners of Belarus

Presenter: Siarhiej Huń

14:15 – 14:30 Da Voli! Belarusian Association of Political Prisoners

Presenter: Aleh Kuleša

14:30 – 14:40 RE:BELarus

Presenter: Valeryja Čarnamorcava

14:40 – 14:50 Association of Belarusian Women with the Experience of Political Imprisonment

Presenter: Volha Fiłatčankava

14:50 – 15:00 Napišy List Palitviaźniu (Write a Letter to a Political Prisoner)

Presenters: Alaksandr A., Alaksandr P., Raman R.

14:00 - 15:05

Moderator’s introduction to the working format

Moderator: Uładź Bułaŭski

15:05 – 16:05

Fishbowl discussion*: Assistance to Political Prisoners in Belarus and Abroad: What Needs Remain Unmet?

Speakers:

Anatol Chinievič / political prisoner
Hierman Sovin / political prisoner
Alena M., Dapamoga
*A chair will remain empty to allow audience members to join the discussion.

Facilitator: Pavieł Sviardłoŭ

16:05 – 16:25

Break

16:25 – 17:25

Fishbowl discussion*: Political Prisoners in the Media: Challenges, Strategies, Ethics – How Do We Keep the Focus and Make the Issue Resonate Globally?

Speakers:

Anastasija Vasilčuk / Information Service of the Viasna Human Rights Center
Pavieł Sviardłoŭ / Euroradio
Fiodar Paŭlučenka / Reform News
Jahor Marcinovič / Former editor-in-chief of Naša Niva, political prisoner ONLINE
*A chair will remain empty to allow audience members to join the discussion.

Facilitator: Hanna Soŭś

17:25 - 17:30

Closing remarks. Closing ceremony

Kryścina Šyjanok, Director / Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Czech Republic