Chronicle from Belarus
Since the beginning of protests, Belarusian activists have managed to organize a very effective society and have create a range of tools and services which help people to organize themselves in communities, write governmental complaints, be aware of their own rights and more.
We include here first-person narratives as well as interviews conducted with Belarusians who have taken part in protests and been subject to violence and detention.
Texts are posted in their original language, with their titles translated into English and a link to a translation of the whole text when available. Postings are listed chronologically, with the most recent material first.
- Original RU and BE petitions.by – instrument for collective complaints and appeals to government agencies.
- Original RU Одна из нас [One of Us] – a project about the life of Belarusian women after August 2020.
- Original RU dissidentby – help with transfers for political prisoners, as well as support their families.
- Original RU zadelo.co – a database of evidence of political pressure on business
- Original RU politzek.me – anyone can register anonymously on the website, make friends with political prisoners and help them by performing simple tasks
- Original EN and RU vkletochku.org – here you can write a letter to political prisoners in Belarus
- Original RU INeedHelpBy – initiative helps those who have suffered from political repression and are in dire financial situations with products.
- Original RU Mozham.com – Aggregator of volunteer assistance in Belarus.
- Original EN and RU Honest-people.by – open independent community of the citizens of Belarus, which develop social initiatives: platforms and tools, communication strategies, legal and financial support etc.
- Original RU Честный университет [Honest University] – a collection of initiatives that help students with legal, financial, and academic issues.
- Original RU 23-34.net – public investigation of police violations related to peaceful actions, here you can share your story
- Original EN and RU August 2020 – stories of people who have suffered from police brutality during the peaceful demonstrations in Belarus
- Original RU skarga.help – generator of complaints and appeals to government agencies
- Original RU profbel.online – a project about independent trade unions and information how to legally defend their labor rights.
- Original RU Каждый день: Летопись протестов 2020 года [belarus.daily] – a chronicle of the 2020 protests. Captured every day and every important event.
- Original RU Дочери Евы [evalution.today] – a project about women and their role in political and social events in modern Belarus.
- Original RU Пресса под Прессом
[Press under pressure], underpressure.press-club.by, December 2020.
- Coordination Council in Interview with parents of Maria Kolesnikova and Maks Znak after court sentence
Original RU Спорные вопросы «Народной Конституции». Что думают беларусы?
[Controversial issues of the "People's Constitution". What do Belarusians think?], Coordination Council, September 3, 2021. - Journalist Ljubow Kasparowitsch about her experience and other political prisoners
Original DE "Ich schlafe auf dem nackten Fußboden"
["I sleep on the bare floor"], Die Zeit - DIE ZEIT Nr.35/2021 26 August 2021, August 25, 2021. - Bogdana Aleksandrovskaya in Interview with philisopher and methodologsit Vladimir Matskevich from Minsk prison
Original RU Философ Мацкевич из СИЗО в Минске: Нужно начинать все сначала
[Philosopher Matskevich from a pre-trial detention center in Minsk: We need to start all over again], DW Belarus, August 24, 2021. - Arina Polzik in Interview with a founder of "Pressclub Bealrus" Julia Slutskaja
Original RU Юлия Слуцкая после помилования: "Мы оговорили только себя, и мы это переживем
[Yulia Slutskaya after the pardon: "We only slandered ourselves, and we will survive it"], DW Belarus, August 20, 2021. - CEE Forum about editor of Nasha Niva magazine Andrej Dynko
Original RU Бутылка под моей головой. Короткое путешествие в белорусский ад - тюрьма Окрестина в Минске, где содержатся политзаключенные
[A Bottle Under My Head. A short trip to Belarus hell — Akrescina prison in Minsk where political prisoners are held ], CEE Forum for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, August 5, 2021. - Anastasiya Boyko about lawyer Maxim Znak and revolution leader Maria Kolesnikova
Original RU «Озвучивали заявления об утрате народом доверия к органам власти». Что известно о деле Максима Знака и Марии Колесниковой, которых обвиняют в заговоре против государства
["They voiced statements about the loss of confidence by the people in the authorities." What is known about the case of Maxim Znak and Maria Kolesnikova, who are accused of conspiracy against the state], Mediazona.by, August 3, 2021. - Coordination Council about activists and members of Coordination council Rostyslav Stefanovich and Sergey Plonis
Original RU Завтра объявят приговор участникам «радикальных чатов». Последние слова обвиняемых вызвали аплодисменты
[Tomorrow will be announced the verdict to the participants of the "radical chats". The last words of the accused drew applause], Coordination Council, July 18, 2021. - Student Thought about the "students' case"
Original RU Последнее слово молодости. Что говорили студенты в суде?
[The last word of youth. What did the students say in court?], dumka.me, July 12, 2021. - dev.by about imprisoned director of "Technocracy" company Dmitri Konopelko
Original RU «Прадеда судили в 37-м при схожих обстоятельствах». Последнее слово директора «Технократии»
["Great-grandfather was judged in 37th under similar circumstances." The last word of the director of Technocracy], dev.by, June 8, 2021. - meduza about Chronics of protests told by its participants
Original RU Мы так много сделали и не смогли победить Хроника протестов в Беларуси, рассказанная их участниками. И история страны, которую написал Шура Буртин, meduza.io, May 19, 2021.
EN ‘We’re locked in with a psychopath’ The story of a changing Belarus — through the eyes of the people who live there, meduza.io, May 27, 2021. - spring 96 about activist Iryna Shchasnaya
Original BE "Я ўпэўненая, што людзям на волі пацяжэй". Гісторыя палітзняволенай Ірыны Шчаснай: лісты, турма, салідарнасць і сям'я
["I'm sure that people on a freedom have it easier." The history of political prisoner Iryna Shchasnaya: letters, jail, solidarity and family], Spring 96 – Viasna, May 26, 2021. - Maria Matusevich about activist, director of hospice in Hrodno Olga Velichko
Original RU Ольга Величко: Личная жертва хоспису / Уголовное дело за добро / Философия паллиативной помощи
[Olga Velichko: Personal Victim to Hospice / Criminal Case for Good / Philosophy of Palliamentary Care], Malanka Media - YouTube, May 21, 2021. - Radio Svoboda about the activist Yulia Charniauskaia
Original BE Юлія Чарняўская пад хатнім арыштам. Дачка: «Поўная ізаляцыя»
[Yulia Chernyavskaya is under house arrest. Daughter: "Complete isolation"], RFE/Radio Liberty, May 20, 2021. - spring 96 about cultural manager Mia Mitkevich
Original BE Культурную менеджэрку асудзілі на тры гады калоніі за допісы "ВКонтакте" пра міліцыянтаў
[Cultural manager sentenced to three years in colony for posts "VKontakte" about police officers], Spring 96 – Viasna, May 20, 2021. - Gutaryla Katsyaryna Karpitskaya in Interview with blogger Volha Takarchuk
Original BE Блогерку Вольгу Такарчук затрымалі на вачах у дзяцей, а яшчэ над ёй вісіць крымінальная справа — даведаліся, што адбываецца ў сям'і
[Blogger Olga Takarchuk was detained before her children, and her criminal case], Наша Ніва – nn.by, May 19, 2021. - Radio Svoboda about Chairman of the Union of Poles in Belarus Angelica Borys
Original BE «Анжаліцы Борыс прапаноўвалі вызваленьне ўзамен на дэпартацыю», — дырэктарка Белсату
["Angelica Borys was offered liberation for deportation" - Belsat director], RFE/Radio Liberty, May 18, 2021. - nn.by about journalist tut.by Ljubov Kasperovich
Original BE Выйграла стыпендыю ў нямецкім універсітэце, стала прарывам года рэдакцыі. Расказваем пра журналістку Любоў Каспяровіч, якой далі 15 сутак
[She won a scholarship at the German university, was a breakthrough of the year edition. We tell about journalist Ljubov Kasperovich that was sentenced for 15 days], Наша Ніва– nn.by, May 18, 2021. - nn.by about makeup artist Ksenia Tyrsikavaya
Original BE Візажыстцы Ксеніі Тырсікавай прысудзілі 15 сутак — нібыта за ўскладанне кветак на Камароўцы
[Makeup artist Ksenia Tyrsikavaya sentenced 15 days - allegedly for laying flowers on a marrow], Наша Ніва– nn.by, May 17, 2021. - spring 96 about students' and professors' detentions
Original BE "Я пакінула наш дом 12 лістапада дзіцём і вярнуся дарослай". Як у Беларусі пераследуюць студэнтаў і выкладчыкаў
["I left our house on November 12, as a child and return as an adult." How Belarus pursues students and teachers], Spring 96 – Viasna, May 17, 2021. - The Lead, CNN about the death of Belarusian activist Witold Ashurok
Original EN Death of a Belarusian activist suggests abuse, CNN, May 2021. - Reform.by about activist Sonya and her mother
Original RU «Это огромное испытание — жить и бояться». Мама Сони рассказала о дочери, расписавшей щиты силовиков и севшей на 2 года
["It's a huge challenge to live and be afraid." Sonya's mom told about her daughter who painted the shields of the security forces and sat down for 2 years], Reformation - reform.by, May 8, 2021. - Original RU Как вызовы скорой перехватывала милиция | Читает Ольга Ковалькова | #august2020voices
[How ambulance calls were intercepted by the police | Read by Olga Kovalkova | #august2020voices], YouTube -#august2020voices, May 5, 2021. - Natalia Lubnevskaia about politician Mikalai Statkevich and his wife Marina Adamovich
Original BE Гутарка з Марынай Адамовіч — пра Мікалая Статкевіча за кратамі, сем’і палітвязняў і стратэгію выжывання
[Interview with Maryna Adamovich - about Mikalai Statkevich behind bars, families of political prisoners and survival strategy], Наша Ніва – nn.by, May 2, 2021. - Aleg Korban about lawyer Maxim Znak
Original RU О том, как упорство ведёт к победе
[About how perseverance leads to victory], Aleg Korban - FB, May 1, 2021. - Radio Liberty about doctor Hanna Barushko, who was in prison
Original BE «Дзяўчына з ныркавай недастатковасьцю спала на падлозе і застудзілася». Доктарка расказала пра свае «суткі»
["A girl with kidney failure slept on the floor and caught a cold." The doctor told about her prison "days"], RFE/Radio Liberty, April 26, 2021. - spring96 about human rights activist Tatyana Gatsura and other women, with whom she was in prison
Original BE «Канцэнтрацыя самаадданасці і сілы волі». Гацура была ў адной камеры з Борыс, Рабковай і Слуцкай
["Concentration of Devotion and Willpower." Gatsura was in the same cell with Boris, Rabkova and Slutska], spring96.org, April 17, 2021. - Nadezhda Kalinina about the lawyer Maxim Znak
Original RU «Письма Шрёдингера» и рассказы в неволе. Максим Знак в заключении написал более сотни произведений
[Schrödinger's Letters and Stories in Captivity. Maxim Znak wrote more than a hundred works in prison], news.tut.by, April 9, 2021. - spring96 about activist Sonya, who has been detained for two years and her mother
Original BE«Я веру, што хутка маё дзіця будзе на волі». Маналог маці палітзняволенай
["I believe my child will be free soon." Monologue of the mother of a political prisoner], spring96.org, April 8, 2021. - nn.by about the activist, administrator of the Zhodzina chat
Original BE На адміністратарку жодзінскага чата завялі крымінальную справу. У яе дома засталося паўтарагадовае дзіця
[A criminal case has been instituted against the administrator of the Zhodzina chat. She has a one-and-a-half-year-old child left in her house], Наша Ніва– nn.by, April 8, 2021. - Radio Svoboda about the doctor Daria Chekhova who was forced to flew to Latvia
Original BE 7 месяцаў у Латвіі. Як жыве лекарка Дар’я Чэхава, якая зьехала зь Беларусі ад перасьледу
[7 months in Latvia. How does the doctor Daria Chekhova, who left Belarus from persecution, live?], RFE/Radio Liberty, April 5, 2021. - City Dog about women from Minsk who suffered domestic violence due to politics
Original RU «Если муж замечал вещи по “схеме БЧБ”, приходил в ярость». Почитайте истории минчанок, которые из-за политики пострадали от домашнего насилия
["If the husband noticed things according to the "BWB scheme", he was furious." Read stories of women from Minsk who suffered domestic violence due to politics], CityDog.by, March 29, 2021. - Nick Paton Walsh, Sebastian Shukla, Christian Streib and Denis Lapin about Sergei and other activists
Original EN "He cut my underwear. Then he did what he did", CNN, March 22, 2021. - Aksan Kolb in Interview with a daughter of the head of the "Press Club" Julia Slutskaya, Aliaksandra.
Original BE Аляксандра Слуцкая: «Я ведаю, што хутка змагу абняць маму»
[Alyaksandra Slutskaya: "I know I will be able to hug my mother soon"], novychas.by, March 10, 2021. - Polina Kuzmitskaia in Interview with activist Olga Khizhinkova
Original RU «Я не могу себя уважать, когда молчу». Ольга Хижинкова о том, что она пережила за последние месяцы
[“I cannot respect myself when I am silent.” Olga Khizhinkova about what she went through in recent months], LADY.TUT.BY, December 31, 2020. - Original BE «Напісала, што ад свайго не адступіцца». Што новага ў палітвязьняў-жанчын
[“She wrote that she would not back down.” What’s new with female political prisoners], RFE/Radio Liberty, December 25, 2020. - Nadzeia Budhzan in Interview with photographer Shura Pilipovich-Sushchyts
Original BE «Я зразумела, што ёсць толькі адзін варыянт — здавацца». Маналог Шуры Піліповіч-Сушчыц пра падрыхтоўку да 7 сутак на Акрэсціна ФОТАГІСТОРЫЯ
[“I realized that there was only one option – to give up.” Shura Pilipovich-Sushchyts’s monologue about preparation for 7 days to Akrestina jail PHOTO HISTORY], baj.by – Belarusian Association of Journalisms, December 21, 2020. - 23 women political prisoners
Original BE Хто тыя 23 жанчыны, якіх праваабаронцы прызналі палітзняволенымі
[Who are the 23 women whom human rights activists have recognized as political prisoners], Viasna news, December 15, 2020. - Natallia Lubneuskaia in Interview with activists
Original BE 100-бальніца, мастачка, стараста групы. Хто тыя студэнткі-палітвязні, якіх дзяржава кінула на Валадарку
[100-hospital, artist, group head. Who are the student-political prisoners, whom the state threw at Valadarka?], nn.by, December 5, 2020. - Andreas Gustavsson about Kristina
Original EN ”They raped me with truncheons” – the truth about Lukashenko’s brutal war on opposition activists, etc.se, December 2, 2020.
RU «Я думала, что умру»: Беларуска рассказала о жестоком изнасиловании силовиками, чтобы ее услышал мир, The Village me – pereklad, December 3, 2020.
- Vika, Minsk
Original RU «Ой, я вас голенькими нарисовала!» Минчанка сидела на сутках и рисовала жизнь за решеткой – посмотрите
[“Oh, I drew you naked!” The woman from Minsk was inprisoned for days and painted life behind it – take a look], citydog.by, December 2, 2020. - Lucy Ash about ex-police officer Andrei Ostapovich
Original EN A police officer with a conscience who left Belarus, BBC News, December 1, 2020. - Original RU with EN subtitles “Белая Книга Правосудия”. Презентация
[Online video-presentation of the book “Seeking Justice. Stories of Violance in Belarus”], Купалаўцы – YouTube, November 26, 2020. - Pensioners participating in protests
Original BE Пэнсіянэркі пра ўдзел у акцыях пратэсту
[Pensioners about participating in protests, Hrodna], RFL – Radio Liberty, November 25, 2020.
- Hanna Sous talks with female witnesses
Original BE «Наглядчыца сказала зьняць ніжнюю бялізну і прысядаць пры ёй». Жанчыны пра гвалт, беззаконьне і надзею
[“The caretaker said to take off her underwear and squat next to her.” Women about violence, lawlessness and hope], RFL – Radio Liberty, November 24, 2020. - Original EN Seeking Justice. Stories of Violance in Belarus, Belarus in Focus, November 11, 2020.
RU and BE У пошуках правасуддзя. Гісторыі гвалту у Беларусі, Belarus in Focus, November 11, 2020. - Viktoria Kovalchuk in Interview with rugby athlete Maria Shakuro
Orignial RU За 10 суток спортсменка узнала, чем кормят в тюрьме, как спать при свете и почему система не работает
[In 10 days, the athlete learned what is a food in prison, how to sleep with an active light and why the system does not work],TUT.BY, October 27, 2020. - Maxim Khoroshin
Original EN The level of violence from the Lukashenko structures is escalating, Our House – International Centre for Civil Initiatives, October 14, 2020.
Flower shop owner Maxim Khoroshin is taken away by ambulance after having been brutally beaten in police custody. Khoroshin had been giving out flowers to protesters. - Olga Shparaga, Andreas Herrler
Original DE Belarus-Oppositionelle nach Festnahme: “Wir kämpfen weiter”, SWR Aktuell Radio, October 5, 2020. - Lidiia Akryshora in interview with artist and painter Yana Chernova
Original RU Автор картины «Белорусская Венера» художница Яна Чернова: «Люди просто бояться говорить. А хочется жить, а не бояться», for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, September 22, 2020.
EN Yana Chernova, the author of the painting “Belarusian Venus”: “People are Simply Afraid to Speak. But We Want to Live and not be Afraid”, translated from Russian by Kamila Orlova for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, October 4, 2020. - Alesya Pesenko in Interview with artist Nadya Sayapina
«Боялась грубости и применения силы». Художница Надя Саяпина нарисовала камеру и сокамерниц
[“I was afraid of being rude and using force.” Artist Nadya Sayapina drew a camera and inmates], lady.tut.by, October 3, 2020. - Dmitri Gurnevich in Interview with ex-police officer
Original BE and RU «Прайшоў 70км палесе, начаваў пад елкай інавакзале». Былы сьледчы пра цану сыходу зсыстэмы
[Walked 70 km through the woods, spent the night under a Christmas tree and at the train station. ” A former investigator about the cost of leaving the system], Radio Liberty Belarus, October 1, 2020. - Yana Goncharova
Original RU Как написать письмо политзаключённому_й? ✉️ Краткое пособие.
[How to write a letter to a political prisoner? ✉️ Brief guide], September 28, 2020 - Poet and translator Anna Komar
Original RU Задержание, Анна Комар, September 8, 2020
EN Arrest and Detention, Anna Komar, translated from Russian by Stephan Sveshnikov for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, October 12, 2020. - Kamila Orlova in interview with Elizaveta Poltorak
Original RU «Я вышла на протест потому что своими глазами увидела как силовики расстреливают людей» — участница Минских мирных протестов, Елизавета Полторак, о решении бороться за честное будущее, о задержании брата сотрудниками КГБ и о солидарности, for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, September 14, 2020.
EN I went to the protests because I saw with my own eyes how the authorities were shooting people, translated from Russian by Markian Dobczansky for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, October 13, 2020. - Viktor
Original RU Testimony: Viktor, September 14, 2020.
EN Testimony of Viktor, translated by Kamila Orlova for IWM Chronicle from Belarus. - Anton Jefremow
Medical Record Anton Efremov
Original RU Ефремов Антон. История из Изолятора. рус, August 20, 2020.
EN Testemony: Anton Efremov, English, August 20, 2020, translated from Russian by Kamila Orlova for IWM Chronicle from Belarus.
DE Aussage: Anton Jefremow, Deutsch, am 20. August 2020, translated from Russian by Martin Malek for IWM Chronicle from Belarus. - Vitali Shkliarov
Original DE „Als hätte mich eine Zeitmaschine in den Gulag verfrachtet” Haft-Protokoll aus Belarus
["As if a time machine had shipped me to the Gulag"], Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung – faz.net, August 19, 2020. - Dan Peleschuk
Original EN I spent two terrifying days imprisoned in Belarus, Buzz Feed News, August 16, 2020.
Original RU ГУЛАГ вместо изолятора. Садистские методы белорусской диктатуры
[GULAG instead of an insulator. Sadistic methods of the Belarusian dictatorship], RFE/RL, August 14, 2020. - Yuliia Suschenko
Original RU «Это происходило в моем дворе: ОМОН гнался за безоружными людьми» — одесситка о протестах в Беларуси (видео, фото)
[“It happened in my yard: riot police was chasing unarmed people” – Woman from Odessa about the protests in Belarus], August 14, 2020. - Eugene
Original RU Сиди и смотри. Монолог жителя Минска о жестоких пытках в милиции, projekt.media, August 13, 2020.
EN Sit here and watch. A Minsk resident’s account of police brutality, projekt.media, August 14, 2020. - Marci Shore in Interview with historian Aliaksandr Bystryk
Original EN “Lukashenka is the abusive husband who beats his wife when she wants to leave. . .”, for IWM Chronicle from Belarus, August 13, 2020. - Journalist Nikita Telizhenko
Original RU «Люди лежали живым ковром в лужах крови»
[“People were laying in pools of blood like one living carpet”], Znak.com, August 12, 2020.
