Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The fifth death behind bars… It’s an unimaginable injustice and tragedy that Belarusians who wanted to change the life of their country for the better have to die in prisons at the regime’s fault. Vitold Ashurak, Mikalai Klimovich, Ales Pushkin, Vadzim Khrasko, and now Ihar Lednik have become victims of the Lukashenka regime.
Ihar Lednik was sent to prison after he wrote an article in support of Belarus’ international neutrality. And for two years, he faced deliberate efforts to kill him. The 63-year-old activist had a heart-related disability. The regime knew this perfectly well when depriving him of his freedom. Lednik’s name was included in the human rights defenders’ Humanitarian List along with other people who needed urgent release due to health conditions or age.
For many years, Ihar Lednik was committed to supporting entrepreneurs, helping human rights defenders, and advancing the democratic movement in Belarus. His activities went far beyond his native Barysau. The whole country knew about Lednik’s persistence and principles. Ihar was arrested many times for protesting against injustice and defending his views. But he remained true to himself – and never betrayed the ideals of a free Belarus.
I express my sincere condolences to Ihar Lednik’s family and loved ones. And I call on everyone – the media, international partners, human rights defenders – to stand up for political prisoners. Today, there are over a dozen political prisoners in the country who need immediate help. Uladzimir Malakhouski, Ryhor Kastusiou, and Halina Dzerbysh are fighting cancer. Iryna Melkher and Aliaksandr Fiaduta have heart conditions. Ala Zuyeva needs daily medications to prevent the progression of leukemia… They are fighting for their health and their lives in dire conditions. And we need to unite our efforts to find ways to release them as soon as possible”.
