In July 2020, exactly one month before the presidential elections in Belarus on 9 August 2020, Libereco has launched the solidarity campaign #WeStandBYyou. As part of this campaign, members of European parliaments take over godparenthood for political prisoners in the EU neighbouring state.

After the rigged voting, after which the authoritarian head of state Alexander Lukashenko declared himself the winner, the situation has worsened. Thousands of people have been arbitrarily arrested during the ongoing and nationwide peaceful protests against Lukashenko.

According to our Belarusian partner organisation Viasna, there are currently over 1000 people arrested who are threatened with long prison sentences just because of their political commitment. Among these political prisoners are members of the Coordination Council, members of election campaign teams of independent presidential candidates, members of the opposition, bloggers and demonstrators.

With the #WeStandBYyou campaign, Libereco calls for solidarity with all people in Belarus who are committed to free and fair elections, democratization of the country, the rule of law and respect for human rights. All those who stand at the side of the politically persecuted in Belarus can express their solidarity by using the hashtag #WeStandBYyou in the social media and spread the campaign motif there.

Join our campaign now and download the poster as PDF or JPG file here! If  you are a member of a national parliament and would like to take over a prisoner’s godparenthood, please contact us directly: belarus@libereco.org.

As part of the campaign, MPs of European parliaments take over a godparenthood for political prisoners in Belarus and to work for their release.

To stay informed about the human rights situation, ongoing court cases and current developments in Belarus, we work together with the human rights organisation Viasna and the initiative Politzek.me.

363 Politicians have taken over a godparenthood so far

European Parliament:

    • Barry Andrews (Renew Europe; Fianna Fáil, Ireland) – Siarhei Kryuchenia
    • Petras Austriavičius (Renew Europe; Liberal Movement, Lithuania) – Viktar Babaryka
    • Nicola Beer (Renew Europe; Free Democratic Party, Germany) – Ales Bialiatski
    • Brando Benifei (European Parliament, Partito Democratico, Italy) – Siarhei Hlebka
    • Hildegard Bentele (European People’s Party; Christian Democratic Union, Germany) – Yan Falkin
    • Robert Biedroń (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Spring, Poland) – Andrzej Poczobut
    • Gabriele Bischoff (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Vitaliya Bandarenka
    • Delara Burkhardt (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Katsiaryna Andreyeva
    • Deirdre Clune (European People’s Party; Fine Gael, Ireland) – Leu Tsialipka
    • Viola von Cramon (Greens/European Free Alliance; Alliance 90/The Greens, Germany) – Artsiom Kasakouski
    • Jakop Dalunde (Greens/European Free Alliance; Environmental Party the Greens, Sweden) –  Aliaksandr Tseleshman
    • Matthias Ecke (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Aliaksei Shyshkavets
    • Frances Fitzgerald (European People’s Party; Fine Gael, Ireland) – Uladzimir Malakhouski
    • Tomasz Frankowski (European Parliament; Platforma Obywatelska, Poland) – Paviel Sava 
    • Michael Gahler (European People’s Party; Christian Democratic Union, Germany) – Pavel Seviarynets
    • Jens Geier (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Dzianis Urad
    • Markéta Gregorová (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance; Česká pirátská strana, Czechia) – Tatsiana Karpovich
    • Andrzej Halicki (European People’s Party; Civic Platform, Poland) – Siarhei Korshun
    • Hannes Heide (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Austria) – Raman Sidziuk
    • Monika Hohlmeier (European People’s Party; Christian Social Union, Germany) – Iryna Shchasnaya
    • Rasa Juknevičienė (European People’s Party; Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats, Lithuania) – Yury Ulasau
    • Sandra Kalniete (Vienotība, Latvia) – Larysa Berazhnova
    • Billy Kelleher (European People’s Party; Fine Gael, Ireland) – Hleb Hatouka
    • Seán Kelly (European People’s Party; Fine Gael, Ireland) – Artsiom Miadzvedski
    • Moritz Körner (Renew Europe; Free Democratic Party, Germany) – Ihar Mints
    • Dietmar Köster (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Alena Maushuk
    • Sergey Lagodinsky (Greens/European Free Alliance; Alliance 90/The Greens, Germany) – Maksim Znak
    • Lukas Mandl (European Parliament, European People’s Party; Austrian People’s Party, Austria) – Henadz Mazheika
    • Colm Markey (European People’s Party; Fine Gael, Ireland) – Siarhei Maushuk
    • Erik Marquardt (Greens/European Free Alliance; Alliance 90/The Greens, Germany) – Krystsina Charankova
    • Niklas Nienaß (Greens/European Free Alliance; Alliance 90/The Greens, Germany) – Dzmitry Kazlou
    • Maria Noichl (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Volha Klimkova
    • Janina Ochojska (Group of the European People’s Party, Poland) – Larysa Kuzmenka
    • Terry Reintke (Greens/European Free Alliance; Alliance 90/The Greens, Germany) – Volha Zalatar
    • Thijs Reuten (Partij van de Arbeid, Netherlands) – Ivan Murauyou
    • Isabel Santos (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Socialist Party, Portugal) – Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk
    • Andreas Schieder (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Austria) – Yury Savitski
    • Radosław Sikorski (European People’s Party; Civic Platform, Poland) – Siarhei Tsikhanouski
    • Birgit Sippel (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats; Social Democratic Party, Germany) – Eduard Kudyniuk
    • Ivan Štefanec (European People’s Party; Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie, Slovakia) – Siarhei Sakavets
    • Tineke Strik (Greens/European Free Alliance; GreenLeft, The Netherlands) – Aliaksandr Aranovich
    • Sabine Verheyen (European People’s Party; Christian Democratic Union, Germany) – Ruslan Parfionau

German Bundestag:

Swiss National Council and Council of States:

Irish Upper and Lower House:

British House of Lords and House of Commons:

Austrian National Council:

Swedish Riksdag:

Scottish Parliament:

Czech Chamber of Deputies:

Polish Senate and Sejm:

Dutch House of Representatives:

Belgian Senate and Chamber of Representatives:

Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada:

Slovenian National Assembly:

Romanian Chamber of Deputies:

Norwegian Storting:

Danish Folketinget:

French Senate:

Former godparenthood

Released/deceased prisoners:

    • Rasmus Andresen (European Parliament, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Igor Bancer (released on 17 December 2021)
    • Tonia Antoniazzi (House of Commons, UK, Labour Party) – Kanstantsin Svidunovich (released on 25 July 2022)
    • Lisa Badum (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Liavon Khalatran (released in May 2022)
    • Katarina Barley (European Parliamentt, Social Democratic Party) – Liliya Ulasava (released on 23 October 2020)
    • Nicola Beer (European Parliament, Free Democratic Party) – Hanna Sunhurava (released on 20 April 2021)
    • Robert Biedroń (European Parliament, Spring) – Illia Salei (released on 16 April 2021)
    • Yannick Bury (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Andrei Audzeyeu (released on 17 March 2022)
    • Viola von Cramon (European Parliament, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Viarhili Ushak (released on 29 July 2020)
    • Carl-Julius Cronenberg (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Ivan Bahdzevich (released in May 2022)
    • Jasper van Dijk (Dutch Parliament, Socialist Party) – Darya Danilava (released in April 2022)
    • Marcel Emmerich (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Aliaksandr Daineka (released on 17 March 2022)
    • Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic (Austrian Nationalrat, The Greens) – Maryna Hlazava (released on 25 February 2021)
    • Wiebke Esdar (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Yulia Shardyka (released on 13 October 2020)
    • Wiebke Esdar (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Viktar Kuushynau (released on 21 August 2021)
    • Frances Fitzgerald (European Parliament, Fine Gael) – Volha Paulava (released on 19 February 2021)
    • Stefan Gelbhaar (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Artsiom Khvashcheuski (released on 3 August 2021)
    • Erhard Grundl (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Vitali Shkliarov (released on 19 October 2020)
    • Barbara Gysi (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Natallia Hersche (released on 18 February 2022)
    • Seán Haughey (Irish Parliament, Fianna Fáil) – Vitold Ashurak (died in detention on 21 May 2021)
    • Frank Heinrich (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Yury Vaskrasenski (released on 11 October 2020)
    • Gabriela Heinrich (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Yahor Suhoidz (released in May 2022)
    • Barbara Hendricks (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Maryia Babovich (released on 8 December 2020)
    • Ottmar von Holtz (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Andrei Pazniak (released on 5 February 2021)
    • Saara Hyrkkö (Finnish Parliament, Green League) – Yuliya Kashaverava (released on 16 September 2021)
    • Frank Junge (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Ihar Prazhennikau (released on 13 January 2022)
    • Oliver Kaczmarek (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Aliaksandr Vasilevich (released 4 February 2022)
    • Katja Keul (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Tatsiana Astrouskaya (released in May 2022)
    • Daniela Klucker (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Illia Palaniankin (released on 9 March 2021)
    • Daniela Kolbe (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Aliaksandr Babrou (released on 16 September 2021)
    • Gunther Krichbaum (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Artsiom Vinakurau (released on 29 January 2021)
    • Gunther Krichbaum (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Aleh Hrableuski (released on 31 July 2021)
    • Lukas Köhler (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Maksim Babich (released on 21 December 2020)
    • Moritz Körner (European Parliament, Free Democratic Party, Germany) – Maksim Shatokhin (released on 20 September 2022)
    • Katrin Langensiepen (European Parliament, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Anton Bialenski (released on 29 October 2021)
    • Jean-Yves Leconte (Groupe Socialiste, Écologiste et Républicain) – Ivan Kaniaveha (released on 10 January 2023)
    • Tony Lloyd (House of Commons, UK, Labour Party) – Darya Chultsova (released on 3 September 2022)
    • Reinhold Lopatka (Austrian Nationalrat, Austrian People’s Party) –Dzianis Chykaliou (released on 22 March 2021)
    • Max Lucks (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Ivan Komar (released 29 January 2022)
    • Gisela Manderla (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Mikhail Zhamchuzhny (released on 19 February 2021)
    • Lukas Mandl (European Parliament, Austrian People’s Party) – Dzianis Kireshchanka (released on 30 October 2021)
    • Erik Marquardt (European Parliament, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Dzmitry Furmanau (released 21 October 2021)
    • Lisa Mazzone (Swiss National Council, Green Party) – Dzmitry Karaka (released on 11 October 2021)
    • Karen Melchior (European Parliament, Renew Europe, Denmark) – Yauhen Kurhanau (released on 18 June 2022)
    • Mattea Meyer (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Anastasiya Mirontsava (released on 16 June 2022)
    • Susanne Mittag (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Sviatlana Kupreyeva (released on 11 October 2021)
    • Detlef Müller (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Yauhen Dzmitryeu (released on 1 July 2022)
    • Martina Munz (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Yuliya Slutskaya (released on 19 August 2021)
    • Martina Munz (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Alena Talkachova (released on 18 July 2022)
    • Konstantin von Notz (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Yan Salanovich (released on 26 January 2021)
    • Jim O’Callaghan (Irish Parliament, Fianna Fáil) – Artsiom Sarokin (released on 2 March 2021)
    • Cem Özdemir (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Katsiaryna Barysevich (released on 19 May 2021)
    • Valérie Piller Carrard (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Ala Sharko (released on 19 August 2021)
    • Valérie Piller Carrard (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Dzmitry Shymanski (released on 29 October 2021)
    • François Pointet (Swiss National Council, Green Liberal Party) – Katsiaryna Tkachenka (released in April 2022)
    • Sabine Poschmann (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Yaraslau Zbarouski (released in January 2022)
    • Claudia Raffelhüschen (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Anzhela Asad
    • (released in March 2022)
    • Anja Reinalter (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Maryia Novik (released in March 2022)
    • Willie Rennie (Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrats) – Volha Loika (released on 17 March 2022)
    • Thijs Reuten (European Parliament, Labour Party, The Netherlands) – Uladzislau Makavetski (released in July 2022)
    • Tabea Rößner (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Aliaksei Karatkou (released on 17 March 2022)
    • Jamila Schäfer (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Volha Takarchuk (released on 16 June 2022)
    • Marlene Schönberger (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Yuliya Harachka (released on 16 March 2022)
    • Krzysztof Śmiszek (Polish Sejm, New Left) – Yuliya Syrykh (released in May 2022)
    • Ivan Štefanec (European Parliament; Christian Democratic Movement) – Hleb Fitsner (released in May 2022)
    • Kassem Taher Saleh (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Ala Lapatka (released in May 2022)
    • Laurent Wehrli (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Siarhei Drazdouski (released on 31 July 2021)
    • René Repasi (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Safiya Malashevich (released on 6 September 2022)
    • Adis Ahmetovic (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Aleh Hruzdzilovich (released on 21 September 2022)
    • Mattea Meyer (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Halina Mikhalchuk (released on 20 September 2022)
    • Kevin Kühnert (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Tatsiana Lasitsa (released on 24 September 2022)
    • Deborah Düring (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Iryna Kastsiuchenka (released in April 2022)
    • Barry Ward (Irish Parliament, Fine Gael) – Maksim Pauliushchyk (released on 25 Mai 2022)
    • Julian Pahlke (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Anton Shnip (released on 11 October 2022)
    • Filiz Polat (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Piotr & Yuliya Marchanka (released on 11 October 2022)
    • Tomasz Frankowski (European Parliament, Poland) – Andrei Novikau (released on 31 October 2022)
    • Thomas Waitz (European Parliament, Austria) – Ksenia Syramalot (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Markéta Gregorová (European Parliament, Czech Republic) – Kasya Budzko (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Céline Widmer (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Volha Filatchankava (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Carina Konrad (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Anastasiya Bulybenka (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Oliver Kaczmarek (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Viktoryia Hrankouskaya (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Annette Widmann-Mauz (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Yana Arabeika (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Katarina Barley (European Parliament, Germany) – Alana Gebremariam (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Oliver Luksic (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) –  Yahor Kanetski (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Katharina Prelicz-Huber (Swiss National Council, Green Party) – Illia Trakhtenberg (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Tomasz Frankowski (European Parliament, Poland) – Maryia Kalenik (released on 30 November 2022)
    • Thijs Reuten (European Parliament, Netherlands) – Siarhei Hardziyevich (released on 17 October 2022)
    • Beate Walter-Rosenheimer (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Volha Klaskouskaya (released on 14 December 2022)
    • Stephanie Krisper (Austrian National Council, NEOS) – Vital Prokharau (released on 15 December 2022)
    • Cédric Wermuth (Swiss National Council, Social Democratic Party) – Viktoryia Mirontsava (released on 16 December 2022)
    • Frank Schwabe (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Aliaksandr Kabanau (released on 17 December 2022)
    • Omid Nouripour (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Siarhei Piatrukhin (released on 17 December 2022)
    • Neale Richmond (Irish Lower House, Fine Gael) – Tatsiana Yakelchyk (released on 23 December 2022)
    • Daria Gosek-Popiołek (Polnischer Sejm, Lewica) – Danila Hancharou (released on 25 December 2022)
    • Mélanie Vogel (French Senat, Les Verts) – Natallia Nikitsina (released on 5 January 2023)
    • Nik Gugger (Swiss National Council, Evangelical People’s Party) – Uladzimir Niaronski (released on 13 January 2023)
    • Delara Burkhardt (European Parliament, Germany) – Aleh Mazhou (released on 21 January 2023)
    • Wiebke Esdar (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – David Zbaranski (released on 21 January 2023)
    • Misbah Khan (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Aleh Barazna (released on 10 December 2022)
    • Liam McArthur (Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrats) – Aliaksandr Ivulin (released on 17 February 2023)
    • Margrete Auken (European Parliament, Denmark) – Anatol Khinevich (released on 15 February 2023)
    • Kati Piri (Dutch House of Representatives, Labour Party) – Dzmitry Kulakouski (released on 15 February 2023)
    • Max Lucks (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Ivan Andrushoits (released on 9 February 2023)
    • Wendy Chamberlain (British House of Commons, Liberal Democrats) – Pavel Drozd (released on 6 February 2023)
    • Nicolas Walder (Swiss National Council, Green Party) – Viktar Aktsistau (released on 31 December 2022)
    • Barry Ward (Irish Lower House, Fine Gael) – Uladzimir Niapomniashchykh (released on 31 March 2023)
    • Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka (Polish Senate, Spring) – Andżelika Borys (released on 4 April 2023)
    • Anikó Glogowski-Merten (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Anton Melkher (released on 17 Ocotber 2022)
    • Véronique Guillotin (French Senate, Rassemblement Démocratique et Social Européen) – Antanina Kavaliova (released on 22 April 2023)
    • Helmut Scholz (European Parliament, Germany) – Nadzeya & Uladzimir Kalach (released on 21 April 2023)
    • Bettina Stark-Watzinger (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Aliaksandr Kisialiou (released on 19 April 2023)

Former Members of Parliaments:

    • Margarete Bause (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Mikalai Statkevich
    • Matthias Bartke (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Dzianis Dzemukh
    • Karl-Heinz Brunner (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Eduard Babaryka
    • Evelyne Gebhardt (European Parliament, Social Democratic Party) – Safiya Malashevich
    • Klaus-Dieter Gröhler (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Raman Bahnavets
    • Ursula Groden-Kranich (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Pavel Piaskou
    • Mark Hauptmann (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Yauhen Dzmitryeu
    • Frank Heinrich (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Viachaslau Sheliamet
    • Rudolf Henke (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Siarhei Kapanets
    • Heribert Hirte (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Viachaslau Rahashchuk
    • Ottmar von Holtz (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Aliaksandr Babich
    • Ralf Kapschack (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Raman Hvazdziolka
    • Alexander Krauß (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – David Mastsitski
    • Karl Lamers (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Dzmitry Ivashkou 
    • Alexandra Louis (French National Assembly, Agir) – Andrei Paheryla
    • Gisela Manderla (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Tatsiana Lasitsa 
    • Matern von Marschall (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Dzmitry Kubarau
    • Christoph Matschie (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Yury Bialko
    • Jürgen Martens (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Uladzimir Dudarau
    • Klaus Mindrup (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Viktar Siadou
    • Ulli Nissen (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Volha Klaskouskaya
    • Bram van Ojik (Dutch House of Representatives, Groenlinks) – Daniil Bohnat
    • René Röspel (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Aliaksandr Vasilevich
    • Manuel Sarrazin (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Ihar Losik
    • Wieland Schinnenburg (German Bundestag, Free Democratic Party) – Yury Kuzmich
    • Martin Schulz (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Andrei Voinich
    • Andreas Steier (German Bundestag, Christian Democratic Union) – Yauhen Afnahel
    • Margit Stumpp (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Ivan Komar
    • Gabi Weber (German Bundestag, Social Democratic Party) – Yauhen Hovar
    • Gerhard Zickenheiner (German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens) – Uladzislau Karetski
    • Anders Österberg (Swedish Riksdag, Social Democratic Party) – Aliaksandr Hubeika
    • Marianne Streiff (Swiss National Council, Evangelical People’s Party) – Yahor Prakapchuk

(last updated: 27 April 2023)