Petr Marchenko

Date of Detention: August 2, 2021

Released: October 11, 2022

Compared to other political prisoners, it was easier for me since my sentence was only a year and a half. However, there are people who know they will have to stay in prison for much longer — four, six or even ten years. Many of them are unsure if they will live to see the day they are released, especially those who have health issues and are in critical condition. For me, there is no question — we must fight for the release of every person rather than just wait for their release.

There is nothing wrong with offering something to regime in order to release political prisoners, and I honestly don't understand when people refer to this as “human trafficking”, because it's something entirely different. Ask yourself: What do you do when terrorists take people hostage? Apart from some cases in Russia, where they don't negotiate with terrorists, civilized countries do negotiate to reduce the number of victims, they are even taught to do so. The main priority in such cases is to preserve human lives, and that should be the focus of our discussions. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's office, the Coordination Council, and other Belarusian democratic forces should primarily concentrate on the release of political prisoners.

Look at what happened recently: Ukraine successfully negotiated the release of its people from Belarusian prisons, something no one expected. Moreover, Lukashenka has recently released [ political prisoners, indicating there are ways to release additional political prisoners. There is clearly something that can be offered to the regime to facilitate this, but not many are interested in applying the necessary pressure. Some may view it as a concession to the regime's power. Nevertheless, according to international conventions, the primary focus should be on human life, and we can sacrifice anything but human life.

Unfortunately, people tend not to think about others. Those who haven't been to Akrestina, Valadarka, or a colony since 2020 cannot truly understand what political prisoners go through during and after their imprisonment. The issue of releasing political prisoners wasn't even raised in the Coordination Council elections.  [Coordination Council (CC) was established in August 2020 at the initiative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and represents Belarusian civil society in exile. From May 25 to 27, 2024, the CC held its inaugural elections, conducted online using the Belarus ID app for exiled Belarusians and a designated website for those within the country]

But look—four years have passed since the 2020 elections, and despite predictions of economic collapse in 2020 or 2021, it didn't happen. It's now 2024, and wages in Belarus continue to rise. The regime has backing from Russia, China, and other countries. Lukashenko has maintained his grip on power for thirty years. Whatever can be offered to secure the release of political prisoners, I'm open to it — let's make the offer.

When I was incarcerated, I couldn't imagine that there was a normal life somewhere else: the thought of people outside enjoying coffee, beer, and the beauty of nature seemed unreal to me.  Likewise, people on the outside cannot comprehend the severe conditions inside colonies and prisons. The reality is that imprisonment feels like a slow death.

While all colonies are challenging, the most severe is the women's colony, where nearly all female political prisoners are confined. Hearing my wife's description of their lives there, it was difficult to grasp why anyone would create such conditions for women— someone’s mothers, wives, daughters...

Every day is structured so that you don't belong to yourself: your diet is such that your body simply doesn't have enough energy to sustain life, your teeth deteriorate as you lack calcium and protein, your muscles deteriorate, and, of course, you lose a lot of weight. And the main thing is that there is no medical assistance.

It has been reported that six individuals have died while imprisoned in colonies, indicating that the actual number of those on the brink of death there is much higher. Despite illness, inmates are forced to work, with no consideration for their physical condition. They themselves assert – “this is not a sanatorium”, meaning they would do everything to turn the lives of political prisoners into a living hell. This is the specific philosophy and practice of places of captivity where the aim is to crush the human spirit.

When discussing what actions are necessary to secure the release of political prisoners, I believe significant steps are required, such as border closures similar to those enacted by Poland. While this impacts Belarusians within Belarus, imposing sanctions solely on the regime without affecting ordinary Belarusians isn’t feasible, as Belarus encompasses both Lukashenka's regime and its people.

We all bear responsibility for Lukashenka's thirty-year grip on power, and this grip is not so fragile that it can be undone with a single action. Hence, we need to move towards negotiations with the regime to secure the release of political prisoners. Even if it's not you who is released, but another political prisoner whom you encountered nearby in the colony, it brings great hope that someday you too will regain your freedom.

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Maria Kalenik

Date of detention: November 12, 2020

Released: November 30, 2022

During my time in prison, political prisoners were consistently pressured to submit clemency (pardon) petitions. They often used threats of punishment for any failure to comply, prompting many prisoners, especially those serving longer sentences, to write such petitions. However, only a small number were actually released, and our hope that the petitions would yield results diminished day by day. Eventually, discussions about releases by pardon from the colony administration disappeared, and I'm still unsure why.

I used to believe that the release of political prisoners should happen for all at once. My views have shifted, and now I think it's important to secure the release of individuals, even if it's not a large number. Numerous prisoners are seriously ill, including asthmatics, cancer patients, and those with heart diseases, and their situations in the colonies are particularly harsh.

Finding a way to release political prisoners, even a few, is difficult. One possible approach could be to ease certain sanctions against the regime since a person's life is more valuable than sanctions

Having a loved one in prison now, I'm ready to do a lot to ensure their freedom. Yet, I recognize their view might not align with mine. From the outside, the hope for the release of a loved one is essential. But it's an incredibly tough decision – who will be released? Ideally, everyone should be released. But is that feasible? If not, perhaps we should focus on releasing those with severe health issues, such as cancer.

Every political prisoner matters. Yet, for some, freedom is vital, like air. When I was in prison, I knew my sentence was short enough for me to handle. My thoughts were more with those who had longer sentences and serious illnesses, hoping they could be freed. This cause is worth fighting for. I know many political prisoners prioritize the well-being of others over themselves. They worry and hope their fellow prisoners will be released soon. When you gain your freedom, you fear returning, but the most painful part is leaving behind those still serving their sentences.

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Olga Loiko

Date of detention: May 18, 2021

Released: March 17, 2022

Speaking about the necessity of fighting for every political prisoner is challenging because it immediately attracts hostility. When I shared my hopes for support from colleagues, while still being in the colony, I was met with responses like " What does she expect now?".  Haters believe political prisoners should quietly endure their fate without any expectation of support or action to secure their release.

These people rob us not only of hope but also of any meaningful actions aimed at releasing or supporting political prisoners.

It's understandable that nobody wants to become a target, especially after enduring time in colonies, pre-trial detention centers, or solitary confinement. Haters fail to comprehend the struggles faced by thousands of Belarusians: they aren't burdened with gathering packages or worrying about the well-being of their family members while incarcerated. They aren't responsible for repaying your loans or alimony, nor are they tasked with fundraising for lawyers.

Reflecting on this entire situation, a metaphor came to mind that I've hesitated to express until now: a good political prisoner is a dead political prisoner. Because they are very convenient: they are spared the burdens of shopping for packages, paying lawyer fees, answering inquiries, or enduring long queues to pass a nail file due to discomfort in pre-trial detention. Dead political prisoners can be waved like a flag, symbols of injustice. Because nothing else needs to be done.

There are those who may find it convenient if political prisoners spoke less and simply endured their hardships in silence. However, political prisoners do not seek to be glorified as heroes: rather, upon release, they seek support, encouraging words, assurance that things will improve, and basic assistance.

Upon leaving the colony, one often encounters remarks such as "Who even got out? Just another nobody". These are ordinary people, and that's where the tragedy lies. Unlike professional politicians and leaders who knowingly opposed the regime, understanding the risks involved, an ordinary person might have been imprisoned for trivial reasons - perhaps for liking a post or expressing an opinion - without any ambition to hold high office. Such individuals simply endured suffering, never expecting to be humiliated by those purportedly aligned with their cause. Comments like "So what if you had to endure another year? You would handle it" only deepen the indignity.

Listen, everyone, it's not the same. This year has been the year of my life. It's a year without children and parents. It's ruined health, missed opportunities, it's the depletion of all the family's savings and those of loved ones.

Yes, it's true that numerous political prisoners who were released had only a short time left to serve [representatives of various human rights organizations stated that one-third of those released were due to be freed within a month]. But there's always the fear that they might not have been released on that long-awaited day.

It's incredibly surprising that advocating and fighting for every political prisoner hasn't become mainstream. No one is suggesting capitulating to the regime and compromising on principles and values. Rather, it's acceptable not to blame political prisoners for submitting pardon petitions. Referring back to 2015, when all prisoners, including those who didn't write clemency petitions, like the initially resistant Mikalai Statkevich [Mikalai Statkevich is a Belarusian politician, currently imprisoned and recognized as a political prisoner. He was a candidate in the 2010 presidential elections, where he ran against Lukashenko and was arrested afterward. On May 31, 2020, he was arrested again and sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021], were released, is irrelevant now. Times have changed. Back then, even those who didn't submit petitions were released after serving a maximum of a year and a half. Yet today, some have been incarcerated for four years. Despite this, many believe the repression has ended, prisoners are being released, and there's no need to get involved in their problems.

It's worth noting the profound trauma experienced by many individuals both inside and outside Belarus. Only few are genuinely interested in hearing about the ongoing suffering of Belarusians. Nevertheless, it would be enlightening to know how armchair critics would handle the conditions in correctional facilities, and how would their perspectives on the necessity of fighting for every political prisoner would evolve in such harsh conditions. This is our Belarusian narrative – the significance of enduring hardship. In contrast, this narrative is less pronounced in Ukraine or Israel, where the dominant call is "save our people" through any available methods.

Belarus has opportunities to pursue these avenues through various means. One such option is pursuing a clemency petition—a negotiation where one understands the necessary steps for potential release. At times, this is crucial, even if release seems unlikely, as it can divert excessive attention from prison administrations. Additionally, there exists the opportunity to collaborate with international bodies such as the UN. There exists a project focusing on elderly citizens. Currently, approximately 60 retirees remain incarcerated. Why not discuss improving their confinement conditions to home arrest? This would be a significant accomplishment. Many think that advocating for release means coming out of prison walls with a white-red-white flag. However, for elderly individuals, being at home, even while serving their sentences, is already happiness and relief.

There is room for individual negotiations. For instance, those currently held in incommunicado [at least 6 political prisoners in Belarus are held in state of complete incommunicado: Ihar Losik (515 days), Maryia Kalesnikava (520), Maksim Znak (526), Mikalai Statkevich (525), Viktar Babaryka (529), Siarhei Tsikhanouski (498)] conditions could potentially be reached by UN representatives, who are actively engaging with Belarusian authorities. This outreach would facilitate communication with political prisoners prohibited from any external contact, allowing inquiries into their health and survival.

The reality is, there are demands from our side and from the regime's. Negotiations and mediation are required. There are influential figures who can contribute to supporting political prisoners, as seen in instances such as Sofia Sapega's. There's sometimes a concern that propaganda might twist any communication efforts with the regime. However, propaganda distorts any information anyway, even without any attempts to fight for each individual.

I haven't met a single former political prisoner who believes they should remain incarcerated until the end - confined and deprived of a normal life.

It seems unfair to fault individuals for taking steps toward their own release. The recent release of certain political prisoners has brought hope to those still incarcerated. Hope is essential in such circumstances.  Everyone yearns to live, to be with their families. Hence, every political prisoner awaits our unwavering support.

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Kseniya Syromolot

Date of detention: November 12, 2020

Released: November 30, 2022

Political prisoners face significant health issues and endure severe conditions. What's particularly distressing is that everyone's health declines, even those who were healthy and felt fine before imprisonment. These are years and months of life that come to a halt, and you can't do anything about it. You feel reliant on those in uniform, unsure of what your time behind bars will entail: a relatively normal experience or monthly spells in solitary confinement.

I consider human life to be the unconditional highest priority, and if there are opportunities for release, they should be pursued, even if it means releasing only one person. It's not only about that person's life but also about their family, loved ones, and friends. We must undoubtedly strive and work towards the release of political prisoners.

However, finding a way forward is complex. One possibility is to facilitate a great dialogue between public organizations and political entities to collectively determine necessary actions. Cooperation with international institutions is also essential.

Additionally, the issue of prioritizing releases arises — determining who stays and who goes. Personally, I think first of my close friends still incarcerated, yet every unfairly sentenced individual is equally important. Achieving freedom for even one person would be a significant achievement.

During my time in the colony, I witnessed a few individuals, including an elderly woman, being granted clemency and released. At such times, you inevitably think about your own situation while others regain their freedom. Nevertheless, I felt genuinely happy for all of them, particularly the elderly lady who had often doubted she would ever experience freedom again.

Despite many political prisoners standing firm in their convictions and refusing to submit a pardon petition, a choice I greatly admire, it doesn't change the fact that numerous lives are indefinitely paused. In such conditions, it’s natural to desire freedom, to be with family and loved ones. Each person must decide whether to pursue clemency, but in such complex situations, there are no easy answers