“Under the hood of fear.” How do former political prisoners live?
According to the Viasna human rights centre, several dozen political prisoners are released every month from their places of detention at the end of their term, after trial, before being sent to open correctional institutions (OCF) or before start of the process. -so-called “home chemistry” (restricted freedom without referral). in the IUOT). In March, according to human rights activists, at least 12 people served their sentences.
How do former prisoners live, what problems do they face, who helps them, why do they leave or stay in Belarus? Three stories on DW.
“There was always a lot of help and support”
“Never, neither during my arrest nor after my release, I was left without help from democratic activists, ordinary Belarusians, there was always a lot of help and support,” said activist and journalist Olga Klaskovskaya.
She was released in December 2022 after 26 months in detention. In February, Olga urgently left Belarus. “The pressure from the security forces was so strong, I felt so much danger that I decided to evacuate”, says the young woman.
The interlocutor admits that after her release, like many political prisoners, she faced post-traumatic syndrome, accompanied by insomnia and a constant feeling of anxiety. “It gets to the point where you just don’t want to leave the house. It’s very difficult to communicate even with close people. You are exhausted, disoriented,” shares Olga.
“You will trust, and tomorrow a denunciation will fall on you”
She notes that democratic organizations and foundations constantly offer the help of psychologists, but sometimes this is not enough – a psychologist cannot write a prescription at a distance, while former political prisoners in Belarus are afraid to turn to psychotherapists.
“You will come, trust, and tomorrow you will be reported, or a doctor will suffer because of your visit (a month ago, psychotherapists were detained en masse in Belarus, demanding to talk about “unreliable” patients, as well as changes in the law “ On psychological assistance”, it has become easier for the security forces to obtain information that constitutes professional secrecy. – Ed.)” – explains Olga.
Some political prisoners are also afraid to apply for financial aid, although, according to DW’s interlocutor, the BYSOL solidarity fund has a program to support former prisoners. “Many don’t know, many are afraid, some are ashamed, about half of my friends who are political prisoners have asked for this help, although they all need it”, observes Olga.
It is difficult for former political prisoners to get a job, especially if they, like Olga herself, are included in the so-called “list of extremists”: “Even those who sympathize do not want to negotiate, because they are afraid that they will have problems later with the security forces. At the same time, the police demand employment. A vicious circle.”
“We survived thanks to the wife”
“We survive thanks to my wife, she has more or less income, and I go to work for work, for the police,” admits former political prisoner Andrei (not his real name). In 2020, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on charges of violating public order (Article 342 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Belarus). The man fully served his sentence a few months ago.
“It was difficult to get used to being at home. Then looking for a job, when no one offers more than 700-1000 rubles (about 250-360 euros),” says Andrei. It can be said that he was lucky to get a job with a salary of 1,200 rubles (430 euros). According to the former political prisoner, they don’t want to take a better-paying job with his article, but “by default, no” for state-owned companies.
Additional problems are created by registration with the police, where you need to report every three days, undergo checks, attend “lectures” and other preventive measures.
As for the help of charitable foundations, Andrei believes that they “do not help much”, or former political prisoners do not know how to contact them. “Real measures would be if they helped more actively, helped to find a job, gave guarantees of housing and work in case of moving”, said the source.
He himself remains in Belarus for the time being, because there is an apartment there, in addition, his son needs an operation.
“Under cover of fear you’re being touched, followed”
“The world you enter is very different from how you imagined it when you were in prison,” says Igor (name changed). The man was also convicted under article “of the people” – 342 – released last fall.
A few months ago, the man decided to leave Belarus. “You have to fill out the documents yourself, look for ways to help with the visa, and all this under the hood of the fear that people are listening to you, watching your phones and social networks,” says Igor.
He also draws attention to the fact that former political prisoners find themselves in a very difficult financial situation after release. During detention, a lot of money is spent on lawyers and orders, in addition, security forces, as a rule, confiscate all equipment, including phones.
“There is no centralized service. Everyone I know has already received money from friends and relatives. People buy things, equipment, get visas and leave,” says Igor.
“We need a track on the socialization of political prisoners”
He was a programmer himself before he was arrested and after moving quickly found a job. But, he says, not everyone is so lucky. Most of his acquaintances could not find any permanent jobs with a steady income. At the same time, Igor notes that Belarusian solidarity funds are ready to pay for the necessary medical care for former political prisoners.
The interlocutor is convinced that, in order to make life easier for people released from prison, democratic forces and charitable foundations can develop “a way through which all those who leave can be helped to socialize”. According to Igor, this should be a legal consultation, “so that the person does not immediately fall into some kind of story”, mandatory psychological follow-up, guidance on visas, travel and possible financial aid.
In his opinion, it is also important to provide housing for people who fled Belarus in the first few months, so that they can take a closer look at the new country. “In some way to help find yourself as a professional, maybe offer some courses, vacancies, financial support for the first time”, suggests DW’s interlocutor.
Source: DW
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