This interview is available in Belarusian and is part of a series produced by The Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House and Viasna Human Rights Centre in cooperation with Human Rights House Foundation, featuring five Belarusian human rights defenders: Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich, Nasta Loika, Marfa Rabkova, and Valiantsin Stefanovic.

When did you feel truly free again after your release?

I would say it was as soon as I crossed the state border and our polite KGB officers in masks handed me over to the American side. But after my release, I went through several psychological states, from euphoria to depression. Depending on my state of mind, my sense of freedom changed too.

Now I feel free. Free in exile.

But the most important thing is that I am alive. I can see the sky and the sun again; I can hug my children and the woman I love. This is life, and I am alive; I am simply living. Perhaps this is what freedom is.

How difficult was it for you to leave Belarus? Do you hope to return?

Nobody asked for my consent. I was expelled from the country against my will. I was given no choice.

When they were taking me out of the detention centre in Minsk, I looked out of the window and said goodbye to my homeland in my thoughts, probably forever. Maybe I will be lucky enough to be buried there.

But now the main thing is that I am with my family, and that is what matters most to me. Even if I had ended up in Argentina or on Saint Helena.

Now I am a happy man. Even in exile.

Why do you continue to fight for human rights?

Because I have been doing this for almost 30 years, and because since childhood I have not been able to tolerate injustice, lies or the suppression of my personality.

I believe that my many years of experience in human rights work can still be useful to a new generation of Belarusian human rights defenders.

I am proud that I directly contributed to the development of the Belarusian human rights community and movement, and that I was, and still am, an inseparable part of it.

What gives you hope for the future?

My children.

What is the most important thing you would like to say to the readers of this piece?

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who supported me through all these difficult and dark years.

You know, sometimes the simplest heartfelt words have enormous power and warm you like a fire in bitter cold.

I am always amazed by the solidarity of complete strangers who found a minute in their everyday lives to remember and support those who are having a hard time, those who are in prison now.

Thank you. I want to hug all of you! Very, very tightly!

Please, do not stop. Your support is still needed by so many people in our unjust world.

What would you say to human rights defenders from different countries who are currently in prison, including those in Belarus?

I would tell them: do not lose faith.

Everything passes, and these dark days will pass too.

Do not lose faith, my dear brothers and sisters!

We will do whatever we can to help you and fight for you, and we will think about you every minute.

Everything will be all right.