Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “The fourth year in a row finds Eduard Babaryka celebrating his birthday behind bars – in places unimaginable in today’s world. He could feel the embrace of his loved ones but lives in a cold cell and is unable to see his family. He could see warmth and care but can’t have correspondence and has no access to medical assistance. He could receive gifts and wishes but is isolated and denied legal protection. It’s not just his individual pain; it’s the reality for hundreds of political prisoners, whose lives the Lukashenka regime intentionally and cynically puts at risk.
A birthday behind bars is a cruel reminder of the price people pay for their desire for a free Belarus. Speaking about Eduard today, I speak about all political prisoners. Write them letters, support their families, share their stories, and tell the truth about what’s happening.
We will continue to fight for every political prisoner. Alongside politicians, who will raise this issue on the international stage every day and call for action. Alongside the media, who will tell the stories of these people so that their arrests and sentences do not become just an everyday occurrence. Hand in hand with Belarusians, who will support the families and loved ones of political prisoners.
Only through joint efforts can we make sure that birthdays bring people nothing but joy, and the term “political prisoner” remains forever in the past”.
