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e-4891 (Foreign affairs)
- Keywords
- Belarus
- Political prisoners
- Rabkova, Marfa
E-petition
Initiated by Rohil Sharma from Surrey, British Columbia
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the Government of Canada
Whereas:
- The disputed presidential election in Belarus in August 2020 has led to the administrative arrest, arbitrary detentions, and criminal prosecution of protestors—notably the members of Viasna, a prominent human rights organisation in Belarus that actively monitors and documents human rights violations against Belarusian political activists and provides legal and financial assistance to political prisoners;
- Marfa Rabkova, a member of Viasna, was detained in 2020 for numerous alleged criminal offences related to her nonviolent participation in nationwide protests. She was fined 22,400 Belarusian rubles and sentenced to 15 years in a penal colony, which was recently shortened to 14 years and 9 months in February of 2023; and
- Marfa Rabkova has reported numerous health complications during pre-trial prison and has repeatedly been denied adequate medical attention.
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Urge the Government of Belarus to release Marfa Rabkova from prison and exonerate her from all charges; and
2. Upon her release, ensure that Marfa Rabkova has a place of asylum to complete her education and continue her work as a human rights activist.
- Open for signature
- March 26, 2024, at 4:04 p.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- July 24, 2024, at 4:04 p.m. (EDT)
