Political prisoners’ relatives: Only economic sanctions will release people from prisons

Mothers and wives of the repressed Belarusians have addressed pro-democracy politicians and public in Belarus.

The full text of the address had been offered to charter97.org website”

We are Belarusians. Our husbands, sons, brothers, fathers are serving time in jail, or had been abducted, or died under mysterious circumstances. Every day people like us are getting more and more numerous in Belarus. But the most awful thing is, that there are more and more people like our relatives.

Repressive crackdown in today’s Belarus does not consist of just isolated outbreaks, but it is an epidemic. A freely expressed opinion, participation in a peaceful rally, denial to participate in crackdown on dissenters, and even business initiatives all end by a prison term. To put it short, everything ends by being landed up in prison. And moreover, by death for some others.

When epidemic erupts, vaccination does not help any more. Anti-dote is needed. And no one should stay away from the fight against the epidemic. The one who had accidentally caught the disease should not become a lethal virus carrier. And we are offering everyone to unite in the struggle against the hideous epidemic which is called a dictatorial regime.

We are addressing the world community with an appeal: do not be deluded by the dictator’s words about possible release of political prisoners. It will not happen, but bargaining, negotiations will start, and they are sure to end by paying an advance, but the deal will fall through. Do not believe deceitful promises and do not think that economic sanctions would be detrimental to the interests of the Belarusian nation. The situation could not be worse for Belarusians. Not external economic sanctions, but home policy is doing damage to Belarusians. And serious economic pressure can set innocent people free from prisons, like it was in the case of Alyaksandr Kazulin. However, while you have been trying to settle the problem amicably and were engaged in bargaining, knocking down the price, Alyaksandr Kazulin lost his wife. She had not been abducted. But she became a victim which is not just on the conscience of the anti-Belarusian regime only.

We address the authorities of Russia: do not support this dishonorable regime, as this support makes you similar to Lukashenka, but does not help either the Belarusian or Russian nation. Money of Russian taxpayers, which for almost two decades have been spent for support of the unpredictable and crazy neighbor who is able to grab a pitchfork and go and demand more, could have saved lives of hundreds thousands of Russians, who could not survive simply because there was not enough budget money for their saving. An adequate neighbour who knows that he should pay the debt on time, is much more preferable. One can come to understanding with him. And it is impossible to come to understanding with the today’s regime.

We address out compatriots: do not play with this regime with the games they have invented. Do not help them to last even one additional day. Do not participate in its projects, staring from the parliamentary election to the local elections and numerous lotteries. Do not have fear to express your opinion, to protest. Do not agree to make illegal or mean things. Do not have fear that they would come for you: they have already come for you, you have just failed to notice that yet. We all are in one prison, and it is impossible to come to an agreement with prison guards. We have only one way out: not to obey their rules. Not to take their money. Not to give yours to them. Not to consider them eternal evil, as the longevity of evil depends on us. As one of Albert Camus' personages said: “It is not fearful to end it all, I will have enough courage for that when needed. But ti see the meaning of our life to melt, and how we are losing the grounds for existence is unbearable. One cannot live without having reasons for that.”

We do not want new victims to be added to our loved ones. We want to stop this epidemic. But we can do that only united. We urge everyone not to think about the today only, but about tomorrow as well. Not only about the imprisoned, but about the murdered. Not only about ours, but about your children. It is not “Klaas ashes” knocking in our hearts, it is simply conscience. Listen to yourself as well.

Liudmila Karpenka, widow of late Henadz Karpenka, deputy chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus of the 13th convocation

Tatsyana Krasnitskaya, daughter if Henadz Karpenka, deputy chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus of the 13th convocation

Volha Zakharanka, widow of disappeared police colonel Yury Zakharanka, ex-Minister of the Interior Affairs of Belarus

Alena Zakharanka, daughter of disappeared police colonel Yury Zakharanka, ex-Minister of the Interior Affairs of Belarus

Yuliya Zakharanka, daughter of disappeared police colonel Yury Zakharanka, ex-Minister of the Interior Affairs of Belarus

Svyatlana Zavadskaya, widow of disappeared journalist Zmitser Zavadski

Iryna Krasouskaya, widow of disappeared businessman Anatol Krasouski

Valeryja Krasouskaya, daughter of disappeared businessman Anatol Krasouski

Iryna Khailp, sentenced to a suspended imprisonment, wife of imprisoned former presidential candidate for presidency in Belarus and international coordinator of “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov

Iryna Bahdanava, sister of imprisoned former candidate for presidency in Belarus and international coordinator of “European Belarus” Andrei Sannikov

Volha Bandarenka, wife of political prisoner Zmitser Bandarenka, coordinator of “European Belarus”

Anastasiya Palazhanka, person under suspended sentence, fiancée of political prisoner Zmitser Dashkevich, chairman of Young Front organization registered in the Czech Republic

Darya Korsak, wife of journalist Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, spokesperson of ex-candidate for presidency in Belarus Andrei Sannikov

Liudmila Mirzayanava, mother of political prisoner Fiodar MIrzayanau

Eva Nyaklyaeva, daughter of ex-candidate for presidency in Belarus Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, leader “Tell the Truth!” campaign given suspended sentence

Tatsyana Sevyarynets, mother of imprisoned politician Pavel Sevyarynets, co-chairman of organizing committee for creation of Belarusian Christian Democracy Party

Alena Likhavid, mother of political prisoner, “For Freedom” activist Mikita Likhavid

Svyatlana Vinahradava, wife of “Tell the truth!” activist Pavel Vinahradau