He 19 of April, one year after the arrests of union leaders, a campaign was carried out demanding that they be released. The International Socialist League (LIS) was an active part of the claims.

Last year the Congress of Democratic Trade Unions of Belarus (BKDP), made a public call to stop the war against Ukraine and the withdrawal of the Russian army from the territory of Belarus. From these just claims, Lukashenko deepened the attack on the organized labor and popular movement, under the false accusation of"Terrorists". In this regard, heKGB included the Trade Union of Workers of the Radio Electronic Industry of Belarus in the list of formations“extremists”.

Imprisonment and terror

So, he 19 April 2022 the arrests began and lasted for more than a month. They were arrested: 20 activists, leaders and workers of four unions of theBKDP, su presidente Aliaksandr Yarashuk, deputy Siarhei Antusevich and accountant Iryna But-Husaim. Human rights organizations included more than 30 trade unionists in a long list of political prisoners that contains the names of more than 1.498 people. In the last two years the regime liquidated more than 700 organizations, between them, alIndependent Trade Union of Belarus (BNP) in what constitutes an action with marked Stalinist features.

An anniversary of protest

One year after the arrests, various actions were carried out called by“Salidarnast”, an association founded by exiled Belarusian trade union activists in Bremen. In Pariser Platz, Front ofBrandenburg Gate, a picket was held to demand the release of the arrested and prosecuted workers. BNP members do not give up, They continue to demand for just causes and for the freedom of the imprisoned compañeras and compañeros, even in difficult conditions. This is expressed in the conversation with Raman Yerashenia held after the picket.

speakers, dissemination and support

They took the floor at the event: Pavel Sakalouski, member of the executive committee of the BKDP; Eduard Balanchuk, representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHK) and Ruben Tzanoff, of the International Socialist League (LIS). Finally, spoke Sviatlana Ushchapovskaya, head of the women's department of the BPN. During the event, banners were displayed and informative brochures were distributed in English., German and Belarusian, in support of the campaign LabourStartthat was being released. The deputies of the Bundestag supported the action, Helge Limburg and Beata Müller-Gemmeke (Alliance 90/Greens), who are symbolic godparents of political prisoners Andrei Paheryla and Hanna Ablab. Also Washington workers, Argentina, Brazil, Lithuania and other latitudes.

Together with the demands of the working people

Lukashenko heads a puppet Putin government, subservient to Russian imperialist interests and the country's capitalist oligarchy. It is based on a dictatorial regime whose repression is executed by the KGB. For these reasons, It is necessary to support the demands for the freedom of political prisoners, the end of repression, the annulment of penalties, respect for social rights, union, humane and democratic. Raising the need to build union and political organizations of workers and the left, independent of oligarchic powers.

Internationalist solidarity has no borders

The LIS always supported the protests, strikes and mobilizations such as those of the 2020. and in this opportunity, carried out an international campaign of pronouncements, Actions, avideo which included the greeting of the different sister organizations that make it up in countries of the five continents and participated in the picket in Berlin with a solidarity greeting. The displays of camaraderie and the gratitude of the workers make us proud and strengthen us in the conviction to continue supporting them., How will it happen on May 1st?, International Workers' Day. Both in Belarus and in exile, the LIS will continue to support the claims and promote the mobilization for Lukashenko and the dictatorial regime!

“We must promote the solidarity and united struggle of the workers”

After the picket at Pariser Platz, we talked withRaman Yerashenia, member of the Association “Salidarnast”.

Why was it important to picket Berlin on 19 of April?

Because exactly one year has passed since the arrests began, and the topic of repressions in Belarus has been relegated to the background in the context of the war in Ukraine.. This is the beginning of an information campaign that we have combined withLabourStart.

How are the imprisoned leaders and activists and their families?

Only now have the prisoners been transferred to camps to serve their sentences. Conditions are harsh and special treatment is given to political prisoners. Some activists have health problems. Their families have lost their livelihood and are facing financial difficulties.. We support prisoners and their families.

How do you value these first steps?

We are just beginning the work in exile. Given this reality, the ones we took are modest steps that will improve with the passage of time and with the coming activities.  

What is the next planned action?

It will be participation in the May Day protest in Bremen, with the German trade union DGB. There the Belarusian question will be raised.

Why were women workers singled out on the picket line and in the campaign??

We have always had a leadership of women in the unions. I would like to draw the attention of feminist organizations to the problem of political repression in Belarus.

What message do you want to convey to those who supported the campaign?

the message is simple: solidarity and united struggle of all workers against injustice must be promoted.

Greeting from the LIS at the picket line in Berlin

"Comrades and colleagues: From the International Socialist League and all the countries where our comrades carry out their militant activity in defense of the present and historical interests of the workers, We send you a solidarity greeting on this special day, where one year has passed since the last great repression by the dictatorial regime of Lukashenko. We unconditionally support the demands for the freedom of imprisoned workers, the end of the persecutions and terror in Belarus. The arrests and criminal cases for "terrorism" against labor leaders and activists are Stalinist falsehoods of a capitalist government that, in order to maintain the privileges of the oligarchy it represents, wants to liquidate the Independent Unions and all those who rise up against them.. Besides being a dictator, Lukashenko is a puppet of Putin. Because, supports the Russian imperialist invasion of the brotherly Ukrainian people and allows the use of Belarus as a war platform for the invader. despite almost 30 years of tyranny, the regime has not achieved the submission of the workers and the people. That is why it has faced strikes, large mobilizations, like those of 2020 and now the demands for freedom, also from exile. It is 19 of April, the organizations that make up the International Socialist League on the five continents are with you promoting pronouncements, acts and mobilizations to the embassies of Belarus. Companions and companions, Their struggle is our struggle! Unionism is not “terrorism”! Freedom to political prisoners and annulment of criminal cases!Enough of repression and terror in Belarus! Long live international solidarity between workers and peoples!!”