'I'm Crying Foul And Asking Everyone To Speak About Belarusian Women Political Prisoners'

There has been no news from Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk for 2.5 months.

March 8 is the international day of solidarity of women in the struggle for their rights. According to human rights activists, there are hundreds of political prisoners in Belarus today.

Activist of the European Belarus Civic Campaign Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk is one of them. It is called Brest Joan of Arc in Belarus. The Lukashists arrested Palina in January 2021. The political prisoner is currently behind bars in Penal colony No 24 in Zarechcha.

Charter97.org spoke with Palina's husband Andrei Sharenda, who, together with his two minor sons, managed to escape from Belarus.

– I haven't heard from Palina for two and a half months. The last letter we received from her was dated as early as the end of December 2022. Since then, there have been no letters or messages from my wife.

From other sources, we know that during these 2.5 months, Palina managed to spend at least 50 days in a detention center. In fact, my wife was suffering inhumane conditions for 50 days in a row. I can say that the punishment cells in the Zarechcha colony are very severe. This is a basement with a small window that is not heated at all. The real torture is to stay there even for several days, and if 30, 40, 50 days in a row, as in Palina's case, this is a severe body test.

I declare that the life and health of my wife is in serious danger. She has been in inhuman conditions for almost six months. It's only possible to survive like that.

Let me remind you that Palina was placed in a chamber-type room in October, which is also known for its severity. She is banned from all types of parcels, purchases in the prison store are limited to 20 rubles (about $8) per month. With this money, you can buy only basic necessities. Not to mention any foodstuff.

We know that political prisoner Viktoryia Kulsha is serving her sentence together with Palina. She is in about the same situation: constant punishment cell. It is known that a criminal case has been initiated against her and “investigative actions” are underway under part 1 of Article 411: “malicious disobedience to the administration of the colony”. Viktoryia Kulsha's defenders say that the same criminal case is initiated against Palina. Unfortunately, I do not have more accurate information.

– Why is it impossible to communicate with the help of her defence lawyer?

– They've banned Palina from meetings with her lawyer for two months now, citing the fact that my wife's application for the meeting has not been signed. That is why it is not possible to arrange a meeting. In my opinion, this is a “special operation” to completely isolate Palina. It's been going on for months.

I'm crying foul and asking everyone to speak about Belarusian women political prisoners and about the Zarechcha colony. They are torturing women in the center of Europe! The conditions of detention in the colony can be compared with the Soviet Gulag or the Nazi concentration camp.

– How can the international community help?

– First of all, I would like to appeal to the international community. Now there is talk that “sanctions do not work”. I declare that I and many relatives of political prisoners are totally against the easing of sanctions. We don't need half-measures.

Only the complete collapse of the Lukashenka regime will free all political prisoners, and rehabilitate them so that they can live normal lives and feel free. I call on the international community not to reduce sanctions pressure, but to increase it. The Lukashenka regime should be a complete outcast for the civilized world. In the economic, political, social and sports spheres. Only this can bring our common victory closer.

– How can ordinary Belarusians help?

– Belarusians, our relatives are often fighting for their rights in complete ignorance of what is happening in the world being political prisoners. They are defending themselves and the future of Belarus in cellars and dungeons. Therefore, we also should not give up, but act further and bring closer the victory over the Lukashenka regime in all possible ways. Everyone has to decide for themselves what they can do about it.

– Today is the 8th of March. What would you like to wish for Belarusian women?

– When the Revolution began 2.5 years ago, we saw the female face of Belarus. Women stood up to fight not only for themselves and their children but also for the whole of Belarus. Be strong and courageous! I wish you victory and to live in the new Belarus as soon as possible.

The Charter97.org website made a great interview with Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk in the framework of the Iron People of Belarus project. Follow the link to see it.

You can support the political prisoner at: Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, Penal colony No. 24, 247526, 44 Proizvodstvennaya Str., Zarechcha, Rechytsa District, Homeil Region.