Belarus: Enough of repression and persecution! Freedom to union and political prisoners!
We continue to disseminate the activities demanding union and political freedom carried out by Belarusian workers exiled in Bremen, Germany and grouped in “Salidarnast”. (reproduced from International Socialist League (lis-isl.org)
“Union activism is not extremism”
The 112th International Labor Conference in Geneva held a special session focusing on labor rights violations in Belarus, where independent union organizations were dissolved and union leaders are persecuted and prosecuted. At the beginning of June the demands were made in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva, with a protest action to draw attention to the detention of union activists in the prisons of Lukashenko's dictatorial regime and demand their release.
At the top 10 anti union rights
The International Trade Union Confederation (CSI) published the Labor Rights Index 2024 which rates countries in terms of their implementation of workers' rights. Belarus is among the ten worst countries in the world for workers. The report raises: “In Belarus, Egypt, Hong Kong and Sudan, the independent trade union movement has already been destroyed by the authorities through arbitrary dissolutions and illegal power grabs. As a result, workers have been deprived of their most important freedom: create and join unions of their own choice”.
Women, unionists and fighters
In the month of May, a meeting of the Women's Committee of the International Union of Food Workers' Associations, Agricultural, Hotel and Related (LOOK) held in Lausanne (Swiss) discussed current issues and achievements in the fight for women's rights around the world, including Belarus. As an observer representing the Independent Union of Belarus (BNP) in the women's committee of the IUF Eastern Europe and Central Asia region (EECA), Lizaveta Merliak attended, who highlighted the serious situation of women in Belarusian prisons, where seven union members are currently serving sentences in atrocious conditions, even forced labor for political prisoners.
Enough of repression and persecution
As part of the activities of ““Salidarnast”One can mention the participation of “Salidarnast” activists in the demonstrations held in the cities of Berlin and Bremen on May 1, since throughout Germany the DGB union center organized actions under the motto“Higher salaries, more free time, better security.” Systematic reports of attacks on workers are essential for understanding the situation in Belarus and extending solidarity, like the one expressed to the Belarusian health workers who always resisted repression. In this regard, Aliaksandr Hashnikau's sentence was stiffened, worker at the Belarusian Zhlobin steel mill and member of the Independent Trade Union of Belarus(BNP). Nine workers were arrested at the Haver subsidiary & Boecker. A closed-door hearing was held in Vitsebsk, persecuting the Naftan union leader, Volha Brytsikava. Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk was again accused of disobeying the administration of the penitentiary where she remains locked up.. The Homyel Regional Court decided the sentence in absentia of the former political prisoner and union lawyer Leanid Sudalenka. And harsher detention conditions were imposed on Aliaksandr Gashnikau, an activist from the labor branch of the Independent Trade Union of Belarus (BNP) at the Belarusian steel factory (BMZ), in the city of Zhlobin.
Out with Lukashenko and the KGB regime
From the International Socialist League (LIS) we will continue to support the Belarusian workers and people, that both in his country and in exile, defend the social and democratic rights that the Stalinist dictatorial regime tramples with impunity. We will promote the campaign for the freedom of union and political prisoners who also, bravely, They oppose the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has the complicity of the Belarusian government.
