How do former political prisoners rebuild their lives after release and forced exile? A new country, a new profession, healing, rebuilding relationships, and learning to trust the world again. These are the stories of people who have endured imprisonment, persecution, and loss. They are starting their lives over. Here and now. And they need our support.
«I No Longer Try to Please Everyone»: The Story of Yekaterina Zaretskaya
For the political prisoners deported on December 13, 2025, it has been only (or already?) eight months of freedom. We spoke with Yekaterina Zaretskaya, one of the former female political prisoners, about her adaptation to life in exile. Which prison habits still linger? How did her time behind bars change her attitude toward people? Read about it in this interview.
«I Didn’t View My Time in the Colony as Wasted.» The Story of Larysa Shchyrakova
Could anyone really fail to be happy about getting out of prison? It happens when release comes hand-in-hand with being forced out of your country. When it happens just three months before your sentence officially ends. And when you are taken abroad, while your heart and soul, your father, and your home remain in the hometown where your whole life was spent. We talk with former political prisoner Larysa Shchyrakova about her reluctance to settle into a new country and her conviction that she will inevitably return to Belarus.
«I Followed in My Grandmother’s Footsteps»: The Story of Natalia Malets
This is the story of Natalia Malets, a former political prisoner sent to a penal colony for her kindness and compassion. Out of her modest pension, she transferred money to the accounts of over a hundred political prisoners. Some of them she would later meet inside the women’s colony. Now 65, Natalia is a refugee. We spoke with her about how she is adjusting to her new life in Poland.
«Laughing and joking once again»: The story of Anna Skrihan, who returned to her profession as an environmentalist after prison
We are continuing our series of interviews with former political prisoners. How do they adapt to life after prison? Anna Skrihan, our third protagonist, currently lives in Warsaw, works in her field as an environmentalist, and already knows what freedom tastes like. She shared her observations and dreams with us.
«An Entire Life in a Single Box.» The Story of Tatyana Kurilina
Instead of an inner child, there is an inner exhausted woman who is used to the word «must». What is it like to start from scratch after prison, having lost your home and profession, only to have gained new chronic illnesses? We sat down with former political prisoner Tatyana Kurilina
«Don’t Ask What It’s Like for a Mother in Exile Without Her Children»: The Story of Anna Papaj
We are launching a series of interviews with former political prisoners. How do they readapt to normal life after imprisonment, and what do they dream about? Our first story is about Anna Papaj. Today, she lives in Poland, longs for the day she will be reunited with her children, and dreams of opening her own café in Minsk.
Why It Matters
Freedom does not begin the day someone is released from prison. Former political prisoners face new realities while living with the consequences of violence, the loss of their home, and separation from their loved ones. This project is a space for their memories and their voices. It is important that they are heard, seen, and remembered. That is why we are collecting a mosaic of life stories from ordinary people who simply remained true to themselves during a difficult period in history.
When the threat of losing the opportunity to live at home—to see my loved ones and friends—became real, I realized that I had actually been a fairly happy person. I had so much!
