Prisoner’s Godparenthood: Marek Migalski adopts Dzmitry Bandarenka

Marek Migalski, a substitute to the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Belarus takes over a prisoner’s godparenthood for Dzmitry Bandarenka.

The member of the European Parliament stated:

„As a substitute to the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Belarus I attentively observe disturbing political situation in this country. Belarus is a part of Europe, but we see the country's government take successive steps that obscure this belonging and keep Belarusian citizens away from the European values by force. The elections and their aftermath – the continuing repressions – violate the basic principles of a democratic state. Opposition activists, representatives of the independent media and human rights organizations became victims to massive repressions. Presidential candidates and their coworkers are still being held in detention.

I would like to express my strong support to one of the political prisoners, Dzmitry Bandarenka, who was today (27.04.) sentenced to two years in penal colony for taking part in a protest demonstration against the rigged results of the presidential elections on December 19, 2010. I admire his courage and his oppositionist work. Dzmitry Bandarenka has been fighting regime for a long time, during the 2010 elections he served as the coordinator of “European Belarus” and Andrei Sannikov's election agent. The trial over Dzmitry Bandarenka did not come up to democratic standards. It is obvious that the court’s pronouncement is politically motivated. I strongly call upon the Belarusian authorities to withdraw accusations against Dzmitry Bandarenka and demand his release.“

The Prisoner’s Godparenthood campaign for the political prisoners in Belarus was initiated by human rights organisation Libereco - Partnership for Human Rights to support the prisoners and their relative.

As a godparent Marek Migalski, a member of the European Parliament and its Belarus-Delegation, will speak out for the release of „his prisoner“, Dzmitry Bandarenka.