Imprisoned writers (38)

Imprisoned writers (38)

Imprisoned writers – Belarusian writers, translators, and literary researchers, publicists, intellectuals, and those who create and expand culture, protect the word and its masters.

The Belarusian PEN sees its mission as creating a space for the development of culture, dialogue, and the realization of creator’s potential, protecting the civil and cultural rights and freedoms of the People of Word.

Belarusian PEN continues to fight against hate speech and draws international attention to human rights violations in Belarus, including cultural rights. In times of crisis and uncertainty, Belarusian PEN responds to the regime’s attempts to divide society by calling for unity and dialogue among the People of Word. Through their activities, they contribute to the realization of the goals of the Belarusian PEN and share the principles and values of the Belarusian PEN and the core documents of the Belarusian PEN and the PEN International.

Since 1996, the Belarusian PEN has been a member of the ″Writers in Prison Committee″ founded in 1960 by the Assembly of Delegates of the International PEN. The necessity of such a committee is explained by the increasing attempts by authorities worldwide to silence writers and journalists by restricting their freedom.

As of October 31, 2024, there are no fewer than 38 imprisoned writers in detention, and no fewer than 168 cultural figures in detention (about 10% of all political prisoners).

Cultural figures persecuted for political reasons experience harsh and inhumane treatment, are in a state of constant restrictions, pressure, without contact with family and lawyers. Often, relatives have no information for months.

Ihar Iljaš

Born on 18 July 1988. Journalist, a philosopher by education, co-author of the documentary book Belarusian Donbas (K....

Aleh Syčoŭ

Aleh Syčoŭ is a printer who has worked with the Zmicier Kolas publishing house in operation since 1998. He specialize...

Zmicier Daškievič

Publicist, author of the book of prison literature Čarviak (2014), for which in 2014 he became the laureate of the Fr...

Ihar Ihar Mielnikaŭ

Ihar Mielnikaŭ is a historian, historical reconstructor, and author of books about the history of Western Belarus and...

Darja Chmialnickaja

Darja Chmialnickaja – writer, translator from Chinese to Belarusian, author of the blog “Knižny Cmok” (Bo...

Andrzej Poczobut

Essayist, journalist, publicist, blogger, poet, songwriter, musician

Alena Cieraškova

Alena Cieraškova is a writer, poet, translator, doctor, mother of four children, sister of political prisoner Maksim ...

Nastassia Maciaš

Nastassia Maciaš is a philologist who edited Astrid Lindgren’s Karlsson on the Roof Belarusian translation, pub...

Aksana Jučkavič

Poet, organizer of cultural events, journalist, author of the children’s poetry collection “Saint Nichola...

Alaksandr Ilin

Alaksandr Ilin is a songwriter and vocalist of the band “Nizkiz.” The rock band “Nizkiz” from...

Alaksiej Navahrodski

Alaksiej Navahrodski (born Čekavy) was born in 1975 in the village of Papernya in the Lida district. He worked as a s...

Ihar Karniej

The journalist, essayist, author of texts about the cultural and historical heritage of Belarus, and travel blogger.