LIBERECO showcased an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament about Belarusian political prisoners from 10 to 12 March. Over 20 MPs expressed interest in joining our #WeStandBYyou campaign, showing solidarity for Belarusians sentenced to long prison terms for their fight for democracy and freedom.
This week LIBERECO have been delighted to spend three days in the Scottish Parliament, with an exhibition about Belarusian political prisoners. The exhibition was an opportunity to let all Scottish parliamentarians learn more about the political and human rights situation in Belarus, and to invite more to join our godparent campaign.
The event was made possible by Willie Rennie MSP, godparent to Alena Malinouskaya. Mr Rennie said, “I believe everyone should have the right to political expression and freedom of speech. Democracy and freedom of speech are precious and fragile things, and I hope that Belarusians will have their own experience of that when they are free of the dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko.”
“Here, in the Scottish Parliament we debate and disagree and we do that without fear of prison or persecution. The persecution of so many innocent Belarusians, and existence of so many political prisoners is an outrage. I support the people of Belarus who long for their own freedoms and justice in their own country. I’m glad to have been able to support LIBERECO, Viasna and the People’s Consulate of Belarus in having an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament, and I’m glad that so many of my colleagues in Parliament also support democracy in Belarus.”
Support from the Scottish Parliament for a democratic Belarus
LIBERECO joined with Viasna and the People’s Consulate of Belarus in Scotland in talking to people in the three days. Ken McBain, the LIBERECO representative in the UK said, “It was very encouraging to speak to so many parliamentarians in my own country who care passionately about human rights, democracy and justice – and their concern for the thousands of Belarusians who are affected by Lukashenko’s regime. So many parliamentarians took time in their busy days, between committee meetings and parliamentary debates to stop and talk about Belarus. I hugely appreciate their interest and desire to support Belarusians’ efforts for freedom.”
More than 20 members of the Scottish parliament expressed interest in joining the godparent campaign, joining the 13 who were already godparents.
