Video: The origami cranes' journey to Belarus

When a Belarusian youth activist, Zmitser Dashkevich, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for "organizing or participating in activities of an unregistered organization" in November 2006, Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience. He became the subject of a global action during which Amnesty International members, youth groups and supporters sent over 10,000 origami cranes to the authorities.

A giant crane was created by Amnesty International youth members at the ICM in Mexico and sent to the Ministry of the Interior in Belarus, but the package was refused at the border. The crane was then sent to the local human rights NGO, Vyasna, who successfully delivered the crane to the Ministry.

Zmitser Dashkevich was released early from Sklou prison in Belarus on Wednesday, 23 January.