The Third Congress on Political Prisoners in Belarus #WithoutJustCause started in Vilnius today. On May 21 — the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus — the program focused on those who remain behind bars and on the forms of solidarity that help maintain a connection between political prisoners and the outside world.
On Day One, discussions were held on solidarity with political prisoners, journalistic support, Belarusian prison literature, and the role of culture in the struggle for the release of political prisoners. Former political prisoners, human rights defenders, politicians, journalists, diplomats, and representatives of the Belarusian diaspora took part in the discussions.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya delivered opening remarks. She stressed that the goal today is not only to secure people’s release but also to ensure that Belarus never again has political prisoners in the future.
Day One concluded with a screening of the film “Under the Grey Sky”, based on the love story of former political prisoner Katsiaryna Andreyeva. The venue also hosted exhibitions of artifacts from Belarusian prisons and political prisoners’ drawings.
Tomorrow, on Day Two, participants will discuss strategies, international pressure, the ethics of assistance, and the role of the Belarusian community in exile.
