Relay hunger strike in support of political prisoners begins today
A relay hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners begins today in Belarus, organizer and human rights lawyer Ihar Rynkevich told the European Radio for Belarus. "Hunger strike is always an extreme measure. But it does not demonstrate the weakness. Rather, it shows the strength of those on hunger strike. We demonstrate that legal arguments do not work in Belarus any more. Only the all-out solidarity will help free the political prisoners", he said.
The participants of the relay hunger strike plan to carry it out in the places of residence. Today they are expected to gather at 1800 on October Square in the Belarusian capital.
"At the moment, Skrabets brothers have been on a hunger strike since March 10. Siarhei Halahanyuk and Aleh Alkayeu have also joined them. Today we will have Tatsyana Vanina and Mikalai Autukhovich team up as well. Aliaksandr Makayeu will begin his hunger strike tomorrow, while Lyudmila Hraznova will do it on Monday. There are several more people.
We will announce a mobile phone number and an e-main where people can communicate in order to express support in our demands to free Alexander Kozulin and to stop criminal prosecution of Andrei Kim, Siarhei Pasyukevich and youth activists".
Rynkevich has recalled a relay hunger strike in late 2006 when over 500 people across Belarus and abroad joined the hunger strike by imprisoned Alexander Kozulin. "That action had a very serious international reaction", says Ihar Rynkevich.
The participants of the relay hunger strike plan to carry it out in the places of residence. Today they are expected to gather at 1800 on October Square in the Belarusian capital.
"At the moment, Skrabets brothers have been on a hunger strike since March 10. Siarhei Halahanyuk and Aleh Alkayeu have also joined them. Today we will have Tatsyana Vanina and Mikalai Autukhovich team up as well. Aliaksandr Makayeu will begin his hunger strike tomorrow, while Lyudmila Hraznova will do it on Monday. There are several more people.
We will announce a mobile phone number and an e-main where people can communicate in order to express support in our demands to free Alexander Kozulin and to stop criminal prosecution of Andrei Kim, Siarhei Pasyukevich and youth activists".
Rynkevich has recalled a relay hunger strike in late 2006 when over 500 people across Belarus and abroad joined the hunger strike by imprisoned Alexander Kozulin. "That action had a very serious international reaction", says Ihar Rynkevich.
