in october of this year i co-facilitated a workshop on how to take action in the case of belarussian student leader zmitser dashkevich at the southern regional conference of amnesty international at the university of miami...dashkevich is the special focus case assigned to the region...the oragami crane action is a great activity for kids age 6-90...zmitser dashkevich, a leader of the opposition youth movement young front, is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression...he was charged in september 2006 with "organizing and participating in an activity of an unregistered non-governmental organization,"..following a closed trial, he was sentenced in november to one and a half years' imprisonment...he is held at a prison colony in eastern belarus...
amnesty international regards the continuing harassment and detention of opposition figures and those involved in civil society activity as a deliberate attempt by the authorities to intimidate and deter people from exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression...the result is the stifling of open, public debate and activity within belarus...
zmitser dashkevich has told amnesty international that the cards and letters of support he has received have given him great moral support, and he believes that the prison administration, on seeing the cards arriving, have treated him better...
please send letters and cards of hope and support to:
Zmitser Dashkevich
IK no. 17
g. Shklou
Magileu Region 213004
BELARUS
make an impact: 10,000 origami cranes for freedom of expression in belarus...learn more
peace out <3
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