Marfa Rabkova: We Bring Our Belarus Closer

A powerful speech by a political prisoner at the trial.

In the Minsk Municipal Court on September 6, political prisoner Marfa Rabkova, coordinator of the Viasna volunteer service, was sentenced to 15 years in a penal colony under general regime conditions and a fine of 700 base fees (BYN 22,400). She pleaded not guilty to any of the ten articles of the Criminal Code under which she was charged. Now Marfa is a political prisoner, who has been sentenced to the longest term in a “political case” among women and human rights activists in Belarus. September 17 will be two years since a 27-year-old young woman is being held behind bars in the pre-trial detention center #1. During this time, her father and grandmother died, severe health problems began.

Viasna's human rights activists were given a speech that Marfa Rabkova was preparing for the last word in court — we are publishing it in full.

“We live in an era of inverted truths: good is punished, evil is glorified, the concept of freedom is narrowed to the limits of one’s own consciousness, while invading this area, using Article 13 of the Criminal Code, the so-called "intention". Thought crime now exists not somewhere in dystopias, but thrives in Belarusian reality.

I have lived all my life under the rule of Lukashenka. I was born and raised within this system. You are labeling me as an extremist, claiming that I am a “destructive element”, “embittered”, “lost my roots”. But I'm just as much a part of society as you are.

My only difference is that I call a spade a spade and cannot but react to them. Violence is violence, repression is repression, and war is war. And it cannot be otherwise. I am ashamed when adults and educated people close their eyes and ears, subdue their conscience, and do not delve into the activities they are engaged in.

How much courage does it take to not do bad things? How much courage is needed to act according to universal canons within the framework of one's sphere of influence? What is needed in order to stop the chain of evil that has begun? What will we all be left with when it's all over? What will we tell our children and grandchildren? What will you leave behind in this world? Questions, which you have to answer to yourself and the future, and every second it brings us closer to itself.

I plead not guilty to any of the charges. I consider them completely fabricated, absurd, and invented by the GUBOPiK employees. When there is no organized crime in the country, apparently, it needs to be created.

In order to justify the existence of a whole administration, which in the last decade has expanded on a large scale and allows itself such methods of work that are more reminiscent of the actions of the Gestapo, and not employees called upon to protect people.

I also do not blame the thousands of people who are suffering in the prisons of our country. Every person has rights, every person is an individual, every opinion must be respected, and life and freedom are the highest and absolute values. Humanism, justice, empathy, development, responsibility for what is happening around us — these are the milestones on which the future stands. Denying them, you deny the very future, which in any case comes, it is inevitable. The future brings change, because progress is always movement and striving forward. The Belarusian people deserve a decent standard of living, a respectful attitude towards themselves, respect for the rights of every member of society, a state that will work for the people, and not against them.

I want to thank my wonderful husband, my mother, all my family, friends and relatives, colleagues, lawyers, as well as all caring Belarusian men and women for their help and solidarity on this thorny path of imprisonment. Thank you for not forgetting me, for staying with me.

I saw so many kind and bright faces, I saw so many real people that I am sure that we will definitely overcome everything, it simply cannot be otherwise. Every time we help each other, care, reach out a helping hand, show solidarity, when our hearts are not deaf to someone else's pain, we are bringing our future, our Belarus closer. Do not fall into despair, just believe in yourself, in your strength! The truth is on our side!

Long Live Belarus and Glory to Ukraine!”