“ZVYANO” ( Link, Chain) was registered in August 2013. During its existence, she has implemented a number of projects and initiatives, including:
1. Annual International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival WATCH DOCS Belarus, Award for Belarusian documentary filmmakers;
2. A baby-sitting service for single parents with alcoholism so that they can regularly attend Alcoholics Anonymous groups and thus stay sober;
3. The rehabilitation and socialization program for ex-prisoners, which included free consultations, courses in basic computer skills and work with a psychologist;
4. Monitoring of the health care system during the epidemic;
5. Advocacy actions to change alcohol policy in the country, including the first ever online marathon of NON-addiction, where problems related to addictions were discussed live for 24 hours;
6. The exhibition in gratitude to the medical workers of Belarus “The machine is breathing, but I am not”, dedicated to the problem of politicization of the healthcare system and the violence faced by doctors (it was closed by the authorities two days after the opening, and the activists were arrested in April 2021);
7. Our organization is the author of a report on human rights violations in the period from August 7-14, 2020, provided assistance to victims in hospitals, as well as a co-founder of the International Committee for the Investigation of Torture;
8. Acquisition of a book by Kazimir Malevich “God will not be thrown away” as a gift to the Vitebsk Center for Contemporary Art and other projects.
At the moment, the Belarusian authorities are trying to close our organization. We remain realistic and understand that this is likely to happen. But lastly, we would very much like to demonstrate to them two things: the solidarity of the international community and the absurdity of their actions.
If they decided to destroy the ZVYANO, then let it be an organization with the best members from all over the world.
Thank you for your solidarity.