Your support for Belarus political prisoners
Belarus has thousands of political prisoners. Held hostage in deplorable conditions, they need international solidarity. As a politician, representative of civil society, or a kind and caring person, you can demonstrate your solidarity in several ways.
Use your social media
International attention to Belarus is much needed. What you can do is tell your followers about the situation in Belarus. Share this guide and invite them to support Belarusians. Tag us on Instagram or Twitter.
Send letters to political prisoners
Rare meetings with lawyers and letters are the only ways for political prisoners to communicate with the outside world. In addition, letters are a message to the regime: every violation of human rights and liberties will be followed by the international community.
Sending letters is easy. In fact, Belarusian volunteers have made it even easier! There are online platforms that allow you to send letters without leaving your home & for free.
- The Solidarity Postcards Atelier volunteers will translate your letter, write it on a beautiful postcard, and send it to the prisoner. Instead of a return address, you may write the letter anonymously or leave your e-mail so that if a reply arrives, the volunteers can send its photo to you.
- Dissidentby, in addition to maintaining a list of political prisoners and providing support to their families, allows you to send letters for free, too! Click Send a letter next to a prisoner’s name and write your message. You may check the boxes to share your letter with the prisoner’s family or share it publicly.
- письмо.бел, a paid service, enables you to choose a postcard and sign it for a political prisoner. However, the service does not provide translation, so use Google Translate or Deepl, as only Belarusian or Russian are allowed.
- Regular mail is also an option! Remember, though, that only Belarusian and Russian are allowed, so, again, use Google Translate and print your letter before sending it.
If you are unsure about what to write, check this guide from Viasna Human Rights Center. Remember to avoid discussing the political situation in Belarus or elsewhere, the circumstances of the investigation, or anything that may be regarded as “political.”
Donate to solidarity funds
BySol, A Country to Live in, and other foundations are well-trusted by Belarusians. They support the repressed by providing direct financial and material assistance. Dissidentby and Politzek.me send parcels with necessary food, clothing, and hygiene products to political prisoners.
By the way, your donations to Freedom Postcards are sent to Dissidentby and used for care packages, while in exchange you may get 3 postcards, a tote bag, or a T-shirt with a political prisoner’s drawing.
Become a prisoner's godparent
Are you a member of parliament in your country? Libereco invites you to take over godparenthood of a prisoner. Hundreds have already become godparents to political prisoners in Belarus to be their voices and work for their release.
#StandwithBelarus
The new Belarus will be a country where human rights are respected, but now, people need your support. Thank you for your solidarity.
