World Letter Marathon in Support of Political Prisoners

12.12.2006.

On 10 December, Human Rights Day, an International Marathon of Letters-Writing was held in Poland and in almost 40 other countries of the world. In its framework people wrote letters in support of prisoners of repressed for peaceful expression of their views. This year Poland citizens have written almost 20,000 letters just within 24-hour marathon. Letters in support of citizens of China, Vietnam, Peru and Belarus have been written.

12 political prisoners stay behind bars in Belarus now:

Autukhovich, Mikalai, the leader of entrepreneurs’ movement

Dashkevich, Zmitser, the Yung Front leader

Dranchuk, Tsimafei, a member of the civil initiative on election monitoring Partnership

Klimau, Andrei, an ex-MP of the Supreme Soviet of 13^th convocation

Kazulin, Aliaksandr, an ex-candidate on presidency

Kruk, Ivan, an activist of the United Civil Party

Liavonau, Iury, an activist of entrepreneurs’ movement

Razumau, Mikalai, an activist of trade-union movement

Seviarynets, Pavel, a youth leader

Statkevich, Mikalai, the leader of the Belarusian social-democratic party Narodnaia Hramada

Finkevich, Arthur, a youth leader

Sadouskaia, Katsyaryna, a human rights activist

The idea of such a letter-writing emerged in Warsaw 7 years ago. It has become an international action now. The events were held to commemorate Human Rights Day, the day chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly`s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.