Janusz Onyszkiewicz: We remember that people are being arrested and persecuted in Belarus (Video)
3- 14.05.2009, 9:47
Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Polish MEP and a leader of the Polish Solidarity movement, supported Belarusians who are taking part in actions demanding to release political prisoners.
“I’d like to express my strong support to those who are on hungry strike of solidarity with Mikalai Autukhovich. I know by my experience how difficult it is. I took part in some similar hungry strikes in communist Poland. I know here courage and power are needed.
You should know that we are with you, we remember you and all people thrown into prisons, arrested and persecuted in Belarus. Belarus is our concern, too. Be brave! We are together!” the MEP said.
On May 4, a number of political and public figures of Belarus went on indefinite hunger strike to support detained entrepreneurs from Vaukavysk Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka, kept in pre-trial detention center #1 in Minsk.
Among the participants of the strike are former political prisoners Andrei Kim, Mikalai Statkevich, Syarhei Skrabets, Artsyom Dubski, Enira Branitskaya, leader of the coordinative council of entrepreneurs Alyaksandr Makaeu, “Young Front” activists Anastasiya Palazhanka, Mikola Dzyamidzenka, Kasya Salauyova, Yaraslau Hryshchenya, Artsyom Lastavetski, Darya Latushkina, public activist from Brest Natallya Kastsyuchuk, Iryna Hubskaya, leader of the BPF party Lyavon Barshcheuski, and others.
Some people have been on hunger strike for ten days in the BPF headquarters in Minsk, some people stay at home. For the moment, 32 people take part in the hunger strike.
Street actions of solidarity with political prisoners have been held in Minsk since May 1. Belarusians have gone to October square with portraits of prisoners of conscience for the whole week. Every picket was dispersed by riot militia. Actions of solidarity are organized in different parts of the city, in Belarusian regions and abroad.
The participants of solidarity actions demand to free the arrested leader of entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka from charges, release them immediately, rehabilitate all political prisoners in the country, and stop political motivated persecuting people.
