Letters to prisoners are often censored or blocked. If you upload an electronic copy to DissidentBY, your message will be safely stored and can be given to the prisoner after their release — even if the original letter never arrives.
Kseniya Lutskina, journalist, former political prisoner
“Why write letters to political prisoners? Because they do receive them. Even if people say they won’t — write anyway. If only one out of ten postcards reaches a prisoner, that is still a victory. Getting words of support when you are isolated means a lot. It shows you are not alone and that someone cares and fights for you.”
Vyacheslav Kosinerov, human rights defender, representative of DissidentBY
“For me, this is personal. Prison tries to erase a person’s values and make them doubt their beliefs. Isolation and routine wear you down. Then, suddenly, a voice from outside breaks through. A small hatch opens and letters come in. One cellmate may get two letters, another one, and another none. When they give me a bundle of five letters and seven postcards, people notice. They don’t react with anger — more with quiet envy. Those letters cut through the grayness of the cell. They pull you out of the walls and remind you that people care. They remind you that you were right. No matter how hard the system tries, justice and truth are still on your side. People around the world know this — and they stand with you.”
Photographer Alexander vilniusphoto.com
Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, opposition activist
“We must keep doing this — even if lists are blocked. People still hear about it, and they feel the symbolic support. Letters sent from around the world challenge the repressive Lukashenka system because they show the world is not silent. No one will forgive this regime. The time will come when people will read these letters. It has been half a year since my release, and I am still receiving them, one way or another. That is why I urge everyone — keep writing!”
Nataliya Dulina, former associate professor at the Italian Language Department of Minsk State Linguistic University
“When I was in the detention center, strangers sent me letters. Political prisoners often get no mail at all — even family letters are blocked. I cried the first time I read those words of support. They reminded me I was not alone.”