#WeStandBYyou: New Godparents from Latvia and Germany

As part of our #WeStandBYyou campaign, Johannes Schraps (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands, Germany), Selma Teodora Levrence (Progresīvie, Latvia) und Sara Nanni (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Germany) have become godparents to Kiryl Hniazdzilau, Liubou Drahel and Viktoryia Veras.

Kiryl Hniazdzilau was a police officer for many years. In August 2020, he resigned in response to the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests. On 19 February 2023, he was arrested upon returning from Poland for sharing data on law enforcement officers involved in the repression with an initiative. He was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment by the court for ‘illegal actions in relation to personal data’ (Art. 203-1) and ‘incitement to hatred’ (Art. 130).

Johannes Schraps is a member of the German Bundestag, representing the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (Social Democratic Party of Germany). This is the second time he has become a godparent, and he is now supporting Kiryl Hniazdzilau with the following words: “Five years after the 2020 protests, people in Belarus are still being arbitrarily detained – for standing up for democracy, for expressing their opinions, or simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I call for the immediate release of all political prisoners – including Kiryl Hniazdzilau, for whom I have taken on a parliamentary godparenthood.”

Liubou Drahel worked as a photo model in her spare time and was active in the Belarusian solidarity initiative Byhelp, which supported political prisoners. Due to her involvement, she was arrested on 5 September 2024 and later forced to appear in a propaganda film. On 12 June 2025, she was sentenced to 3 years’ imprisonment for ‘founding or participating in an extremist organisation’ (Art. 361-1).

Selma Teodora Levrence is a member of the Latvian Parliament for the social democratic party Progresīvie. She becomes the godparent of Liubou Drahel and explains: “Liubou Drahel’s defiance tells a powerful story. Liubou Drahel was arrested in 2024 for her support and solidarity with political prisoners.The day I began my mandate in the Saeima/Latvian Parliament was the same day Liubou was sentenced to 3 years in prison. When I think of democratic society, I cannot imagine it without freedom of speech. But you can’t have that when people live under constant threat — or worse, are unjustly persecuted. It is our responsibility as citizens of free Europe to stand up for basic human rights and demand their respect in countries such as Belarus. By writing this text you’re reading now, I’m taking the smallest — yet necessary — step toward raising public awareness of the appalling situation political prisoners face, and showing solidarity with them. That’s why I feel honoured to be one of many who support Liubou, working together with the organisation Libereco.”

Viktoryia Veras graduated from a medical college in Minsk and worked as a nurse. Although she had no interest in politics for a long time, she took part in the protests against Lukashenko due to the terrible events in Belarus in the summer of 2020. Almost four years later, she was arrested and sentenced on 18 November 2024 for ‘violating public order’ (Art. 342), ‘incitement to hatred’ (Art. 130) and ‘calling for the endangerment of national security’ (Art. 361). Furthermore, the Belarusian KGB has classified her as a terrorist. This further exacerbates the already difficult conditions of her imprisonment.

Sara Nanni is a member of the German Bundestag for the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen party. Through her second godparenthood, she supports Viktoryia Veras and states: ‘Every day in Belarus, courageous people show us what it means to stand up for freedom, democracy, and human rights. In doing so, they risk their freedom and endure mistreatment, violence, and draconian prison sentences. One of these people is Viktoryia Veras, who has been imprisoned since May 2024. Before her arrest, she worked as a nurse. Following the events in Belarus in 2020, she participated in protests against Lukashenko, resulting in her arrest on 1 May 2024. As a member of the German Bundestag, I am taking on godparenthood to stand in solidarity with all those whose critical voices are being silenced. The Belarusian authorities must release Viktoryia Veras and all other political prisoners immediately! Belarus must end the massive human rights violations and immediately prepare for democratic, free and fair elections.