Seven Norwegian parliamentarians from the Socialist Left Party of Norway (SV) became political godparents for trade union activists who are in Belarusian prisons.
In July 2020, Libereco launched a solidarity campaign under the hashtag #WeStandBYyou. As part of the campaign, European parliamentarians are taking on the role of godparents over political prisoners in Belarus.
Kirsti Bergstø, Member of the Norwegian Parliament and leader of the Socialist Left Party of Norway, has taken on the godparenthood for Aliaksandr Kapshul and states:
“Aliaksandr Kapshul was imprisoned for standing up for democracy in Belarus. Strikes are legal means and justice depends on strong and vocal trade unions. My deepest solidarity goes to the courageous people in Belarus who continue the fight for democracy despite the threat of arrests and brutal violence. I strongly condemn the human rights violations of the Belarus state. As godparent I call for the immediately and unconditionally release of Aliaksandr Kapshul.”
Marian Hussein is Member of the Norwegian Parliament and has taken on the godparenthood for Aliaksandr Kandratsiuk and states:
“Aliaksandr Kandratsiuk was imprisoned for standing up for democracy in Belarus. Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right and trade unions are legal and crucial in the fight for justice. My solidarity goes to the courageous people in Belarus who continue the fight for democracy despite the threat of arrests and brutal violence. I strongly condemn the authoritative Belarus state. As godparent I call for the immediately and unconditionally release of Aliaksandr Kandratsiuk.”
Audun Lysbakken is member of the Norwegian Parliament and has taken on the godparenthood for Siarhei Sliazhou and states: “My deepfelt solidarity with Siarhei Sliazhou who has been imprisoned for using his legal right to freedom of speech. Trade unions are the backbone of every just society and I support all courageous belarus people who stands up for democracy and justice. I have taken on the godparenthood of Siarhei Sliazhou and demand the immediate release of him and other political prisoners in Belarus”.
Ingrid Fiskaa is member of the Norwegian parliament and has taken on the godparenthood for Volha Barushka. Fiskaa states: “Volha Barushka was imprisoned for standing up for democracy in Belarus. Freedom of speech is a human right and fundamental in all democracies. My deepfelt solidarity goes to Barushka and other courageous trade union activists fighting the human right violations in Belarus. As her godparent I call for the immediate release of Volha Barushka and other political prisoners in Belarus.”
Birgit Oline Kjerstad is member of the Norwegian Parliament. She has taken on the godparenthood of Yauhen Batura and states: “Yauhen Batura was imprisoned for standing up for democracy in Belarus. Peacefull protest is a legal right and fundamental to all democracies of the world. Me deepfelt solidarity with Yauhen and all courageous trade union activists in Belarus who fight the authoritative state. As his godparent I demand the immediate release Yauhen Batura.
Freddy André Øvstegård is member of the Norwegian Parliament and has taken on the godparenthood of Aliaksei Zabiran. Øvstegård states: “Aliaksei Zabiran was imprisoned for using the freedom of speech - a fundamental right in all democracies. I condemn the human right violations of the Belarus state and give my full solidarity to Aliaksei and other trade union activists in belarus who courageous stand up for democracy. As his godparent I demand the immediate release of Aliaksei Zabiran and all other political prisoners of Belarus.
Andreas Sjalg Unneland is member of the Norwegian Parliament and has taken on the godparenthood of Andrei Shulhat. Unneland states: “Andrei Shulhat is imprisoned for raising his voice against an authoritarian regime. Freedom of speech is fundamental in all democracies. I strongly condemn the human rights violations of the Belarus regime. As his godparent I demand the immediate release of Andrei Shulhat and all other political prisoners of Belarus.
At the moment, almost every trade union leader or activist, who is in prison, has his "godfather," who does not forget about the fate of his ward. Let us remind you that more than 1,500 people are considered political prisoners in Belarus, including more than 40 leaders and members of independent trade unions.