A total of 846 postcards were signed by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from various political groups and sent to Belarusian political prisoners. This initiative is part of the ongoing #EPStandsBYyou campaign, launched three years ago to support opposition activists, journalists, and their families in Belarus who are resisting the authoritarian regime. The campaign coincides with Belarus Freedom Day, observed on March 25, a symbolic date for the democratic opposition.
“Over three years ago, we — as the Polish delegation to the European Parliament — launched the initiative of sending postcards directly to political prisoners, including holiday greetings and support for their families. Today, over 1,200 political prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus, and we must not forget them,” said Andrzej Halicki, MEP from Civic Platform, in an interview with Newseria.
A Message of Hope Behind Bars
The postcard campaign is organized by various NGOs and volunteer groups, with active participation from MEPs, who not only send messages of support but also offer concrete assistance to prisoners’ families. The 846 cards sent this year mark a record for the initiative.
“This gesture has enormous significance — both for the prisoners and their families. It sends a clear message: you are seen, heard, and not forgotten. We’re working toward your release. By sending these postcards filled with hope for a democratic Belarus, we show that they have our support. It’s often crucial for families, just like during Poland’s martial law, when support from the West gave us strength and hope,” Halicki added.
The nonpartisan #EPStandsBYyou initiative, under the patronage of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, aims to draw attention to human rights abuses in Belarus, particularly the plight of political prisoners held unlawfully under President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime. These detainees endure constant persecution and inhumane conditions. Among them are Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and Polish minority leader, imprisoned exactly four years ago.
This year’s postcard campaign coincided with the visit of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to the European Parliament. Her husband, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a pro-democracy blogger and activist, has been imprisoned since 2020.
Belarus in the Shadow of War
“Belarus is unfortunately overshadowed by the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine. But we continue to exert pressure to keep Belarus on the agenda, provide aid, and build hope for a different future. The recent elections in Belarus weren’t even considered elections. The European Parliament and Commission made it clear in advance — there were no democratic elections in Belarus,” Halicki stressed.
March 25 — Belarus Freedom Day — is one of the most significant dates for the country’s opposition. Independent broadcaster Belsat noted that Lukashenko deliberately chose this day for his inauguration. In a state-controlled referendum held in January 2024, Lukashenko — in power since 1994 — was reported to have received nearly 87% of the vote, with a claimed turnout of 86%. Analysts from Poland’s Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) pointed out that all “opponents” were handpicked by the regime, showed no signs of genuine political debate, and openly pledged loyalty to Lukashenko, who was portrayed as an unquestionable national leader.
These “elections” were a tightly managed operation, typical of totalitarian regimes, starkly different from the atmosphere in 2020 when Tsikhanouskaya challenged Lukashenko and sparked mass protests across the country following widely disputed election results. The protests were brutally suppressed by security forces.
Mounting Repression and International Action
“Since the fraudulent 2020 election, Belarus has become a regime even worse than Russia in some ways — with more acts of violence and persecution. Last year alone, over 9,000 acts of physical violence against Belarusian citizens were documented. This must be accounted for. Proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) have already begun. Lukashenko is a war criminal,” Halicki declared.
On September 30, 2024, Lithuania formally submitted a request to the ICC in The Hague to investigate the situation in Belarus under Article 14 of the Rome Statute. The complaint accuses Lukashenko’s regime of crimes against humanity, including forced deportations and persecution of citizens in exile, among other violations of international law.
According to the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS), Lukashenko’s regime continues to tighten its grip on society, employing systematic repression of opposition figures. In 2024 alone, at least 2,000 individuals have been prosecuted for activities labeled as “extremist” by the Minsk authorities.
