We are a group of LGBTQ+ activists from Belarus. The wave of repression in Belarus, KGB pressure, criminal cases, detentions and “extremist” articles have affected us too. Many of us have lost our homes, jobs, access to education and medical care. We are in different countries, in different difficult situations today. Despite this, we’ve united by a common experience of vulnerability and the fight for safety, as well as the desire to continue our work. We need your help.
Until August 2020, we, like all Belarusians, were engaged in our own projects, but we couldn't stay away when the country was gripped by a wave of violence and lawlessness. Now we help those who suffered at the hands of the regime.
BYSOL supports released political prisoners and their families, people forced to leave the country, Belarusian volunteers in Ukraine, and initiatives that help Belarusians fight lawlessness in the country.
BYSOL is announcing a collection to equip squads of Belarussian volunteers who are fighting alongside Ukrainians against our common enemies, Putin and Lukashenko. Belarusians in territorial defense battalions have received weapons and ammunition, but there is a serious shortage of special equipment, protection and tactical medicine.
New fundraiser to support former political prisoners who have served time in prison for their beliefs.
In conditions of political persecution, threats to human freedom, life and health we help families to leave Belarus safely and quickly.
In Belarus, more than 1000 people ended up in prisons because they did not want to turn the blind eye to the terrible actions of the authorities. Support is needed not only for them but also for their families.
These children could walk to school on september 1 with a bouquet of autumn asters, proudly holding their father's hand...
Many families have faced hardships due to political persecution. Parents were undeservedly imprisoned, and children are left without the support of one or sometimes both parents.
Many Belarusian children have one of their parents (and sometimes both parents) imprisoned for political reasons. Many families are forced to celebrate New Year holidays in a foreign country, separated from each other and unable to give traditional gifts to their relatives.
After interviewing the families of political prisoners, it turned out that many children of political prisoners have yet to have a summer. Many only have enough financial means to cover minimal basic needs.
“Deprivation of liberty will be a death sentence for me,” — these are the words of one of the Belarusian pensioners in the courtroom. “It would be better if they killed me in the deep forest,” relatives relay the words of another pensioner from the detention center.
The regime offers to take special loans with preferential interest rates to get children ready for school and buy them outerwear, but with “kuplyaytse belaruskaye” conditions. This is the regime's real support for children.
People in Belarus are put in jail for using Telegram and contacting independent media. Let's help the most honest and brave among us — those who have suffered for the truth.
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International Children's Day is celebrated annually on June 1 and is dedicated to the protection of children's rights. This day reminds us of the need to create conditions for a happy and safe childhood for every child.
Choosing between well-being and a clear conscience is not easy for everyone. Let's support the Belarusians who have lost their jobs for choosing an active civil position against the inhumane regime.
Immediately after release, many former political prisoners are unemployed and without a livelihood, and many of them have children. We will support 30 former political prisoners with children with a small amount of money that can cover some of the children's expenses.
Many political prisoners who have already been released, like those in prison, have young children. Instead of joy, politics has entered their lives, stealing their childhood.
Many political prisoners have young children. They know nothing about politics, but they know exactly that they want to celebrate the family holiday with their dear fathers and mothers. The freedom of a parent would be the best gift for them, because family is sacred, and for them to gather around the Christmas table all together is priceless.
Between August and December, we financially supported more than 1,300 laid-off people to the tune of almost 2 million euros. For four months we were a “fire department,” promptly and accurately helping laid-off and relocated people. And in December, we reformatted our support for those laid off into employment and retraining assistance.
We have created a charity campaign to help former political prisoners to restore their health after spending time in inhumane conditions of Belarusian prisons and reception centers. Their mental and physical state has suffered greatly and now people need support to improve their health.
We are opening a traditional gathering in support of the children of political prisoners. This is not an abstract charity, but a concrete help to children who need our solidarity right now.
Unique Belarusian courtyards are a phenomenon of protests. Small communities unite people across the country in their fight against dictatorship. They help Belarusians to openly express their protest, and we must help them to continue their struggle.
10 Belarussian families divided by prison. 10 women who continue to struggle.
March 8 is not a day about flowers or “decorating the team”. This day is dedicated to the enormous contribution of women to the social, political and economic spheres of life.
We have gathered 32 families who have never received aid, and for whom the financial gap has become unaffordable, they are already quite in distress.
Belarus still has a huge number of political prisoners and former political prisoners, many of whom have children. Is it necessary to say that the funds that can be obtained by one of the parents, and sometimes only the grandmother or grandfather, are barely enough to cover household expenses.
Our task is to provide people with a small amount of money as soon as they are released. As part of this project, we will offer our assistance to 30 freed Belarusians!
Friends, the Emergency Humanitarian Aid Service announces the opening of the traditional collection for children of political prisoners “LET’S GET A CHILD TO SCHOOL”. This year the event is held for children of school and preschool age.
The hardships for political prisoners don't end on the doorstep of a prison cell. When they return home, they face the harsh reality of not being accepted by the state. We're launching a fundraiser to retrain 15 former political prisoners.