Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Every year, on May 21, my heart aches with pain as we mark the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. There have always been political prisoners in Belarus. But what is happening now is a large-scale tragedy. Over a thousand people are behind bars today – journalists and teachers, doctors and engineers, students and pensioners. What unites them is one thing – they refuse to live in lies and violence.
We must remember that even under conditions of total control and pressure, we are not powerless. On this day, I urge you to:
- Write letters to political prisoners. Even a few kind words from a stranger can warm the soul and bring hope.
- Support friends whose loved ones are imprisoned. Bring food to the elderly parents of detainees. Talk to friends who miss their partners. Let them feel they are not alone.
- If you are abroad, use the opportunity to remind people about the situation in Belarus. Do this carefully, to avoid drawing the regime’s attention to specific prisoners. Take part in solidarity rallies, post online, and support initiatives.
Every step matters. Every letter can give someone hope. Let our solidarity continue to grow and spread. Let no political prisoner be left alone. Freedom to all political prisoners!”
Full address is available in Belarusian on YouTube.
