The portrait of Viktoriya Fiodarava was taken by Tatsiana Ulasenka at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, in the former KGB headquarters in Vilnius, Lithuania, in June 2026.
Why did you become a human rights defender?
I became a human rights defender through my legal profession and through the understanding that the law must protect people, not serve as an instrument of repression.
Over time, it became clear that in Belarusian reality, defending human rights is not just a job, but a necessity, even despite serious personal risks. This became especially evident after the events of 2020, when lawlessness, torture, and violence became part of state policy.
What is the nature of your work, and what challenges do you face as a Woman Human Rights Defender?
My work today mainly focuses on bringing those responsible for crimes against humanity to justice. This work combines the documentation of torture, support for survivors, the preservation of evidence for future justice, and international advocacy. It requires not only legal expertise but also great emotional resilience, because every day we work with extremely difficult human stories.
As a woman human rights defender, I face the same risks as my colleagues, first of all, forced exile from the country and criminal prosecution.
What is the current situation with human rights in Belarus?
The current human rights situation in Belarus is a deep and prolonged crisis. We see systematic politically motivated persecution, torture, arbitrary detention, the destruction of independent media and civil society organisations, and the practical absence of domestic mechanisms for protection.
What kind of human rights situation in Belarus would you like to see in the next 30 years?
In the next 30 years, I would like to see Belarus as a country where human rights are an unconditional value, not just a declaration. I would like to see independent courts, a state that is accountable to society, and a country where torture and political repression are impossible in principle. It is also very important that justice is restored for all victims of repression, because without accountability for the past, it is impossible to build a safe future.
Do human rights still matter?
Human rights still matter today, perhaps even more than ever. It is precisely in times of crisis that we understand that human rights are not abstract principles, but real guarantees of dignity, freedom, and security for every person.
Abandoning these principles inevitably leads to impunity, violence, and the repetition of mass violations.
What is your motto as a human rights defender?
Even if justice takes time, we must fight for it today.
About Portraits of Strength
Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) work to protect and advance freedoms while facing discrimination and stereotypes about their role and participation in society.
HRHF’s “Portraits of Strength” photography series honours the vital role that women play in defending human rights, and portrays women human rights defenders from across the Network of Human Rights Houses.
The exhibition, now in its fourth edition, shares portraits taken by local women photographers and tells the stories from WHRDs working on a variety of issues, including the documentation of human rights violations and alleged war crimes, rule of law, women’s rights, political prisoners, freedom of expression, and more.
Find out more here.
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