Lifeline. Send a Letter to support political prisoners
No one political prisoner should face injustice aloneWaiting for a letter
We have already written together
We want to change this. We want all political prisoners to receive letters. On this platform we will assign you a random prisoner to write to and give you all the details you need about their case. Just write a letter, and we'll take care of the rest — free of charge. Plus, we'll email you any responses we get.
Sadly, we can't reach everyone. About a third of those in prison are in places where we don't have their addresses or their identities can't be shared. Some also want to keep their identities private. If you want to write to someone specific, use our 'Letters Across Borders' form. Otherwise, fill out this form to get a pen pal assigned.
Looking for someone specific?
Use our search page. Here you can find a particular person by name or surname, or choose a recipient who shares your interests, views, or profession.
Why is it important
According to OVD-Info, more than 3,000 people in Russia are being persecuted for political reasons, such as openly opposing the war in Ukraine, participating in protests, or posting something that displeased law enforcement agencies. Of these, more than 1,500 people are serving sentences involving imprisonment or are being held in custody or under house arrest until their verdicts come into force. Some receive extremely long sentences — up to 20 or even 25 years.
The persecution affects people far removed from professional politics: students, teachers, office workers, doctors, clergy, mechanics, janitors, artists, and lawyers. A significant portion of those imprisoned are Jehovah's Witnesses and representatives of other religious denominations who are persecuted for their faith.
No one is safe from political persecution in Russia — students, doctors, teachers, journalists, artists, lawyers – to name a few. They've all joined peaceful protests, posted on social media, or been involved in political or religious activities.
A simple act like writing a letter can make a huge difference for those persecuted by the Kremlin. Our goal is to get at least a few letters to every single political prisoner we know of.
It's not just about how many letters we send, but about making a genuine connection. Take a little time to write something thoughtful and caring. Check out the instructions below for tips on what to include and what to avoid.
Your letters are a lifeline for political prisoners – a beacon of hope in dark times. Each word is a hug, a reminder that they're not alone in their struggle. It'll only take 20-30 minutes of your time but will mean the world to them.