{"id":24599,"date":"2026-11-15T11:38:01","date_gmt":"2026-11-15T11:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/?p=24599"},"modified":"2026-11-15T12:54:39","modified_gmt":"2026-11-15T12:54:39","slug":"day-of-the-imprisoned-writer-2026-take-action-for-vac%c5%82a%c5%ad-are%c5%a1ka-belarus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/penbelarus.org\/en\/2026\/11\/15\/day-of-the-imprisoned-writer-2026-take-action-for-vac%c5%82a%c5%ad-are%c5%a1ka-belarus.html","title":{"rendered":"Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2026: Take action for Vac\u0142a\u016d Are\u0161ka (Belarus)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWriters are targeted because words travel. A poem can cross a border its author cannot. A report can outlive the censor who tried to bury it. Every action taken in support of a prisoner and every name said out loud is an act of defiance against the silence governments are counting on\u201d. <\/em>Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International Writers in Prison Committee<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

15 November:<\/strong><\/b> Every year on the Day of the Imprisoned Writer, PEN International stands with writers who are jailed, silenced or disappeared for their words. This year, from 15 November to 10 December, we are asking you to stand with five of them: Pham Doan Trang<\/strong><\/b> (Vietnam), Henry Constant\u00edn Ferreiro<\/strong><\/b> (Cuba), Ahmed Mansoor<\/strong><\/b> (United Arab Emirates), Vac\u0142a\u016d Are\u0161ka<\/strong><\/b> (Belarus) and Innocent Bahati<\/strong><\/b> (Rwanda).<\/p>\n

The governments holding them are counting on silence. Let\u2019s give them noise.<\/p>\n

Take action for Vac\u0142a\u016d Are\u0161ka (Belarus)<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"\"Name: <\/b>Vac\u0142a\u016d Are\u0161ka
\n<\/span>Occupation: <\/b>Editor, political scientist, trade union activist<\/span>
\n<\/b>Situation: <\/b>Imprisoned
\n<\/span>#Vac\u0142a\u016dAre\u0161ka
\n<\/b>#DayoftheImprisonedWriter\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Editor, political scientist, and trade union activist Vac\u0142a\u016d Are\u0161ka is serving an eight-year prison sentence in Belarus on spurious grounds. He reportedly lost his eyesight in detention due to being denied access to adequate healthcare. He must be freed immediately and unconditionally. Pending his release, he must be urgently granted adequate healthcare as well as reasonable prison accommodation.<\/span><\/p>\n

How you can help:<\/b><\/b><\/h3>\n
1. Write a message of hope to Vac\u0142a\u016d Are\u0161ka<\/b><\/b><\/h5>\n

Send him a message of solidarity to let him know that he has not been forgotten.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Click to send a message<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2. Write to your diplomatic contacts<\/b><\/h5>\n

PEN International calls on the Belarusian authorities to:<\/span><\/p>\n