The LabourStart platform has started collecting signatures under the petition as part of the “Trade Union Activism - Not Extremism!” campaign.
The campaign is organized in cooperation with the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), which was dissolved by the Lukashenko regime, and the Salidarnast association, which was founded by Belarusian trade union activists who were forced to flee the country due to repression.
Why is this important?
There is no more freedom of association in Belarus. On April 19, 2022, the police carried out mass searches in the offices of independent trade unions, as a result of which their leaders and activists were arrested. In July 2022, the independent trade unions were dissolved and their illegal activities are being prosecuted.
Today, 29 trade unionists are in prisons and colonies on trumped-up charges. Some have received 10 to 15 years in prison. Activists are labeled as extremists and terrorists, so they are denied their civil rights even after being released from prison.
We demand from the Belarusian authorities:
Stop the repression against workers and trade union activists.
Immediately release all political prisoners, including trade union leaders.
Restore freedom of association and the activity of independent trade unions.
On this day, an online discussion and an appeal to international organizations and governments are planned.
Trade union activism is not a crime! Join the fight for workers' rights in Belarus!
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