Tsikhanouskaya: There should not be a single political prisoner in Belarus. We will continue to fight for everyone to be free

“Five years ago, the first political prisoner died – Vitold Ashurak perished in the Shklou colony. His death became a horrific consequence of what the regime does to people behind bars. His death is a wound that does not heal. And this day is now a day of solidarity with everyone who is currently in captivity.

More than 800 people. That is how many recognized political prisoners there are in Belarus today. But the true number is even higher. Because there are people we don't know about, there are families who are afraid to speak out, there are cases that don't make it into the news.

But political prisoners are people with names, families, destinies, and dreams. People punished on arbitrary charges, for a comment or a donation, for a photo, for silent disagreement.

Every day in captivity for them means lost health, years without loved ones, sleep in the light, cold, poor-quality food, lack of proper medical treatment. And a yellow tag on their uniform as a sign that they are 'dangerous'.

My husband was forced to clean his cell four times a day. One former political prisoner recounted how she fell asleep standing and almost collapsed onto the concrete floor because she spent five days without proper sleep. Stsiapan Latypau made three suicide attempts. And how many such stories have we simply not learned about?

I know what it's like to wait for a loved one from prison. To live between hope and fear. And still hold on. Because your children are waiting for you. Because you don't have the right to give up. My husband spent more than five years behind bars, and I remember every day of that waiting. When your heart aches from news about transfers, punishment cells, lack of letters. This is pain that I share with thousands of Belarusian families.

More than a year ago, thanks to American diplomacy, thanks to international pressure, and thanks to our joint work – people began to be released, and we sincerely rejoice for each and every one.

This also happened because we did not remain silent. Because all these years, we have been working with the international community, telling the world about those whom the regime wanted to hide from the world. We named names, gathered assistance, wrote letters. Human rights defenders, families of political prisoners, journalists, diplomats, volunteers, and every caring person – we all did our part.

But being released from prison does not yet mean truly being free. Many live under surveillance, with numerous prohibitions; many were forcibly taken abroad and left without documents. Prison ended – persecution did not. And they need support and our attention no less than those who are still behind bars.

There should not be a single political prisoner in Belarus. Not a single one. Over these years, we have almost gotten used to it: hundreds of names on the list of political prisoners, daily detentions, information about torture – all this has become seemingly a new norm. But this is not normal. It should not be normal.

We will continue to fight for each and every one to be free.

Belarus should not be a prison for its people,” the democratic leader stated.

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