Dzmitry Paliyenka: GUBOPiK Got Irritated When Media Wrote About Me

Every Belarusian today can become a human rights activist.

Former political prisoner, activist of the anarchist movement Dzmitry Paliyenka knows firsthand what solidarity is. In an interview with Charter97.org, he spoke about creative actions in his support:

— A bunch of letters and postcards, financial support, solidarity actions, from stickers and leaflets to direct actions.

My comrade Mikita Yemelyanau is now serving a sentence for the actions of solidarity with me. He attacked pre-trial detention center #1 in Minsk with a Molotov cocktail, and when my trial was supposed to begin, he and his comrades threw red paint on the building of the Minsk Municipal Court. They also hung banners right on the fence of the court. For these actions, unfortunately, Mikita is now serving a sentence in prison, he is daily subjected to repression and pressure.

Solidarity was felt every day. On my birthday, my comrades launched fireworks near the colony, and graffiti “Free Paliyenka!” was painted on the fence! There were greetings and congratulations on the radio. In those days, until 2020, Lukashenka was still playing democracy, then the independent press, which made publications about my case and solidarity actions, had not yet been banned. This greatly irritated the local operative officers and employees of the GUBOPiK, but this did not give the punishers the opportunity to untie their hands and “deal” with the political prisoner in full.

— What is the best way to provide assistance to prisoners of conscience in today's situation?

— Now, unfortunately, the Lukashenka regime has unleashed real terror against all conscious Belarusians who disagree with the regime. The number of political prisoners is growing every day. People are still being detained for photos from the 2020 protests or for likes on social networks. Due to the war in Ukraine, the information field, unfortunately, has shifted, the agenda of political prisoners has faded into the background.

Therefore, we must not forget about the Belarusians, who were not afraid to oppose the totalitarian regime of Lukashenka.

I would advise all Belarusians who are not indifferent to become human rights activists themselves. To come to the trials of political prisoners who fell under repression. Write letters more often, even if censorship does not let them through. Support political prisoners and their relatives financially. And I would advise you to do it directly. How to do this — you can read on the website of the human rights organization Dissidentby, there is a “Help for Families” function.

Hold more solidarity actions: from banal leaflets to more significant and decisive actions. Because informational support does not allow the punishers to untie their hands when the media remembers and writes about a political prisoner.

Belarusians showed their solidarity and determination in 2020. I am sure that our solidarity is stronger than their prisons. It is important to help each other, not to forget our heroes even for one day, whom this vile and cowardly regime has thrown behind bars.