“Seeing Viktar Babaryka, like Maryia Kalesnikava a few months ago, after so many months of incommunicado detention, is an incredible relief. Yet it is horrifying to realize the regime is using people who should never have been imprisoned as tools for manipulation.
Over the past two years, we have had to learn the dreadful word ‘incommunicado’. We have felt the anguish of completely losing contact with a loved one in prison and not knowing if they are alive, healthy, and what condition they are in. Not hearing from a loved one makes it impossible to live a normal life. If it is so painful for us on the outside, it is terrifying to imagine what they endure behind bars.
Every day in prison is a lifetime lost for those on the outside. My husband cannot see how much Karnei and Ahniya have grown. Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk’s sons are growing up without the warmth of their mother’s love. Ihar Losik has not seen his daughter Paulina for 4.5 years… Entire families have their lives put on hold because the regime sacrifices people to cling to power.
Seeing new images of the people who have been held incommunicado brings immense relief. But at the same time, we must not forget that over 1,200 political prisoners remain unjustly behind bars.
Ending incommunicado detention is the first step toward stopping the horror unfolding in our country. The next must be the release of all those imprisoned for their beliefs and an end to all political repressions against Belarusians”.
