Solidarity marathon

Well-known journalist, cultural critic, and public figure Pavel Mazheika received a 6-year prison sentence. His colleagues carried out a campaign in solidarity with him in different countries. They took pictures with his image along with the message ‘Journalism is not a crime’.

This is another expression of support for Belarusian journalists who are currently imprisoned. Ernie Barbarash, a US American filmmaker, participated in the Marathon of Solidarity with imprisoned journalists, a campaign initiated by BAJ. He chose to show support for journalist Larysa Shchyrakova from Homel. Her criminal case is currently being considered by the Homel Regional Court.

During the Tutaka Festival, which took place in Podlasie (Poland), the marathon of solidarity with imprisoned journalists, initiated by the BAJ, continued. Politicians, singers, and other famous Belarusians supported our colleagues who are now behind bars.

In front of the building of the European Commission in Brussels, members of the International Federation of Journalists and its European regional organization organized an action in support of Belarusian imprisoned journalists. The action was held as part of the Marathon of Solidarity launched by BAJ on World Press Freedom Day.

Former political prisoners say that every word of support they received was empowering and very inspiring. That is why a solidarity marathon with imprisoned journalists is so important. This time, a solidarity event was held in Berlin.

At the congress of the Danish Helsinki Committee, influential human rights activists voiced their support for media workers who remain behind bars in Belarus.

The Council of the Union of Journalists expressed support and solidarity with the Belarusian colleagues who are now behind bars.

The initiative to this gathering was taken by the “Organization for exchange between BAJ and SJF (Swedish Union of Journalists)” and invited were Frilans Syd, organization for freelancers in southern Sweden, Swedish Pen as well as staff journalists.

33 names, 33 journalists behind bars, 33 portraits in the center of Vilnius... In order to draw attention to the situation of the media, on May 3 Belarusian and Lithuanian journalists started a marathon in solidarity with imprisoned Belarusian journalists.

Thirty-three names, thirty-three journalists behind bars, thirty-three portraits in the center of Vilnius... This number is particularly dramatic today, on World Press Freedom Day. In order to draw attention to the situation of the media in Belarus, Belarusian and Lithuanian journalists held a solidarity rally. This is the first action within the whole solidarity marathon, which is to be held in many countries of the world.