During the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, a screening of the film “Under a Gray Sky” took place, preceded by a debate on the situation of political prisoners in Belarus and their families. The event, organized by MEPs Michał Dworczyk, Małgorzata Gosiewska, and Adam Bielan, brought together politicians, experts, and—most importantly—the loved ones of those detained by the regime.
Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy was the first to speak; Chair of the Solidarity Zone Foundation Council, a journalist, and longtime director of Belsat TV, who emphasized that the issue of political prisoners remains fundamental in the difficult relations with Belarus. As she noted, the film screening is, on the one hand, an important reminder of the plight of Belarusian citizens held in prisons, and on the other, an appeal to Members of the European Parliament to consider whether any further actions are possible that would lead to the release or reduction of the long prison sentences for those suffering in Belarus for the sake of freedom.
Next, Mateusz Adamski, President of the Board of the Solidarity Zone Foundation, took the floor and presented profiles of the Belsat TV employees and the sentences they are serving. He noted that as many as 12 journalists from the station are currently being held in prisons and penal colonies. “Their stories are proof of how Lukashenko’s repressive apparatus consistently eliminates every form of free speech,” he emphasized.
One of the most moving moments of the event was the testimonies from the families of political prisoners. The prisoners’ wives spoke about the dramatic realities of daily life in the shadow of repression—about the hardships of maintaining contact with loved ones deprived of their freedom. They described instances of inhumane treatment experienced by the prisoners: prolonged isolation, a complete lack of contact with family, and psychological and physical abuse. They pointed out that one form of repression involves using criminal inmates to intimidate or break political prisoners—both mentally and physically.
The screening of the film *Under a Gray Sky*—inspired by the true story of Belarusian journalists Igor Ilyash and Katsiaryna Andreyeva—shocked the audience. This deeply emotional film depicts the drama of an individual and a family facing a brutal regime. The story of the detained journalist and her husband, who is desperately fighting for her release, is not only a tale of courage and love but also a faithful account of the mechanisms of repression employed by the Belarusian authorities. It serves as a moving testament to the resilience of the Belarusian people and a call for solidarity and concrete action in defense of human rights in Belarus.
Participants in the meeting unanimously emphasized the need to maintain international pressure on Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, to draw attention to the tragic plight of political prisoners, and to support organizations and initiatives that provide tangible assistance to victims of persecution.
