Pink_scarves

Women against repression in Belarus. We tell the stories of those they are trying to silence.

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

@johnpcoale @franakviacorka Thank you, mister Coale

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

On the Extraordinary Strength of Anastasia Lazarenko

Today, Anastasia Lazarenko turns 44. She was detained on June 2, 2022, just two days after her 40th birthday. She has now spent nearly four years behind bars.

In 2020, when thousands of Belarusians were subjected to brutal violence and lawlessness, Anastasia could not stand aside. She went to the walls of Akrestsina detention center, advising detainees and their families, helping them prepare complaints, and explaining their rights.

“For her, the right to defense was not a formality, but a human and professional calling.”

She defended people when the system was trying to break them. Colleagues who worked alongside her at the time recall:

“Anastasia simply could not believe that this was happening. That it could go unpunished, that people could be treated this way without consequences.”

For that, she was made an example of.

Her arrest was a full-scale punitive operation: security forces wearing body armor and carrying automatic weapons smashed down the door and windows of her home. The message was clear: helping victims of repression is punishable. Defending people is punishable.

Left behind were her elderly father and her son, who at the age of sixteen was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s disease. Doctors had nearly given up hope, telling the family that he had “one or two years left.” But Anastasia refused to surrender. On her own, she searched for specialists, fought for medical examinations, found and purchased expensive medications with her last savings, and monitored every test result. Thanks to her determination and love, her son survived and recovered.

She fought for strangers in 2020 with the same unwavering commitment.

That strength has not left her behind bars. As journalist Marina Zolotova, who met Anastasia in prison, wrote:

“Nastya has magical hands—everything obeys them. With such talent, she is a highly valued worker at the prison factory.”

But perhaps the most important testimony comes from those who have lived alongside her:

“Whenever someone is in need, she helps with her knowledge and support, giving away almost her last possessions to those who have nothing.”

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

https://t.co/mWAIvvWsoU

[john coale @johnpcoale]

Thank you Maria !

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

https://t.co/ZxWBy5vEN4

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

https://t.co/440w0107ak

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

https://t.co/sJIXrHZtmj

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

How I hoped I would never have to write this text.

Ludmila Chekina, CEO of https://t.co/mnvBfH1qDD, has been behind bars for five years. 1,826 days. It is painful and deeply unjust.

During this time, she lost her father and was unable to say goodbye to him. Her son graduated from university, served in the army, and returned home.

Life in the colony is hard for Ludmila: health problems, punishment cells, and the “terrorist” label that prevents her from receiving money transfers.

Mila stays strong. She does not complain. But no one should spend years in prison for their work and principles.

I truly hope this nightmare will end soon and she will finally be able to hug her son again.#iamhervoice

— Marina Zolotova @MZolatava

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

We call on European politicians to continue humanitarian dialogue and support efforts aimed at the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.
We also urge @Europarl_EN and @EU_Commission to support and strengthen the process that has already begun. Human life is priceless. And you have the power to save human lives.
#IAmHerVoice

[Kajsa Ollongren @KajsaOllongren]

Today, I am highlighting the cases of these 5 political prisoners in Belarus, who are persons with disabilities.

Show your support: share this post and call for their immediate and unconditional release ✊🏼

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

Dear @KajsaOllongren, we are sincerely grateful for your post — especially in these days when American diplomats like @johnpcoale are making efforts to help secure the release of Belarusians.

Thank you for speaking about the most vulnerable political prisoners — those who may not survive long enough to see freedom. Your work and your voice are truly invaluable to all of us.

Families of political prisoners are writing and calling us every day, holding their breath in hope and uncertainty. Thank you for continuing to speak publicly about their suffering and bringing these stories to a broad international audience. #IAmHerVoice

[Kajsa Ollongren @KajsaOllongren]

In the lead-up to the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus on May 21, I will highlight Prisoners in particularly vulnerable situations.

Show your support: share this post to call for their immediate and unconditional release. ✊🏼

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

“God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing.” — Psalm 68:6

We believe no prison is stronger than human dignity, solidarity, and faith.🙏🙏🙏

[Franklin Graham @Franklin_Graham]

I’m in Minsk, Belarus. Would you pray as I preach the Gospel tonight and tomorrow night?

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

Every life matters. We are waiting for each and every one in freedom.

[Yana Kovaleva @YanaKovalevaBy]

I am @YanaKovalevaBy. I am the sister of Ilya Veremeev, a Belarusian political prisoner who has been imprisoned since February 27, 2022, for pro-Ukrainian comments on social media.

Today, I appeal to @johnpcoale @realDonaldTrump @ChrisWelbySmith to continue the humanitarian dialogue and support the release of political prisoners, including my younger brother Ilya.

I also appeal to @Europarl_EN @EU_Commission to continue and strengthen the process that has already begun. Human lives are priceless.

My brother has already spent more than four years behind bars simply for his words. During this time, he has faced constant pressure, punishment, and inhumane treatment. He has serious problems with his arm and shoulder, but he is not receiving proper medical care.

Recently, he was transferred to Prison No. 4 in Mogilev — a closed prison with extremely harsh conditions and isolation. We also learned that they are preparing another trial against him inside the prison itself, which could mean even more years stolen from his life.

I am begging you: please do not let my brother be forgotten. You have the power to save human lives.

#FreeIlyaVeremeev #BelarusPoliticalPrisoners #StandWithBelarus

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

We join in solidarity, and we pray for the freedom of Belarus and people

[Franklin Graham @Franklin_Graham]

I'm in Belarus, and it was an honor to meet with President Aleksandr Lukashenko. I thanked him for allowing the evangelical churches in this country to come together to hold an evangelistic event in the capital of Minsk this weekend. Nothing has been done like this in Belarus in modern history, and we thank God for the opportunity to come.

As we drove in, I was struck by the beauty of the countryside and the rolling, rich farmland. Minsk is such a clean and beautiful city. Everyone has been so welcoming and it was such a privilege to meet many church leaders today.

Would you pray as I prepare to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ the next two days at Chizhovka Arena? This event—the Festival of Hope—has been organized by nearly 700 churches across the country, and during the dedication ceremony at the stadium tonight, it was incredible to see 7,500 believers gather to dedicate this event to God. They have been praying around the clock.

Join with us in praying that people from every corner of Belarus will hear the Good News that God loves them and that they can have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

@KatsiaAnd @YouTube ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

Hope is what helps people survive in prison.
Sometimes, hope takes the shape of cards.

In this video are symbolic cards drawn by political prisoners behind bars — cards they used to make wishes and hold on to the belief that one day those wishes would come true.

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

@shetpostcore Бесспорно. Но не мы приняли решение преследовать людей. Мы можем только их поддерживать и предпринимать попытки говорить с теми, кто может открывать двери тюрем

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

Natalia Malets, a teacher from Brest, served 3.5 years in prison simply for helping political prisoners: she made 125 money transfers and sent letters of support to 114 people.
Thanks to the efforts of the United States, she was released and deported from Belarus in December 2025.
But hundreds of political prisoners remain behind bars. Natalia’s heart aches for Liudmila Chekina, Iryna Melkher, Liubov Rezanovich, Zhanna Avramchik, Iryna Tokarchuk, Tatsiana Frantskevich, Nadzeya Laptenok, and many other women.
Many of them are mothers, elderly, or in poor health.
We must not forget them. The fight continues until everyone is free. #IAmHerVoice
@StateDept
@hrf
@amnesty

[Pink_scarves @scarves_by]

We hope that all Belarusians will soon be able to enjoy it too.

[Greta Van Susteren @greta]

Minsk is a pretty city