The EESC Workers' Group condemns the further repression of trade unions and civil society in Belarus

The Workers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) joins with the international trade union movement and civil society organisations, in condemning the attacks on independent trade unionists and civil society in Belarus. It calls for the immediate release of all trade union leaders and militants, human rights defenders and all other civil society protesters currently detained and for a respect of fundamental rights and the rule of law.  

The Workers' Group supports the Global unions, the International Labour Organisation, Amnesty International, and others who have condemned the latest events in Belarus and called for a stop of the repression and prosecution of independent trade unions in Belarus. For many years, the independent trade union movement in Belarus has taken a strong stand against Alexander Lukashenko's authoritarian regime. In April, more than twenty leaders and activists of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) were detained by the Belarus State Security Committee. Although some have been released, others remain in detention and some have even been convicted of offenses such as "insulting Lukashenko".

This recent spate of attacks are further manifestations of the regime's flagrant disregard for fundamental rights and the rule of law, including the right to freedom of association and freedom of assembly. President Lukashenko has referred to independent unions as terrorist organisations. The recent widening the application of the death penalty in Belarus for "attempts to carry out acts of terrorism", condemned by Amnesty International, gives even greater cause for alarm. Belarus is the only state in Europe and Central Asia that still uses this inhuman and degrading form of punishment.

The current escalation of attacks on independent trade unions in Belarus comes following their demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine, by condemning the Russian invasion, demanding the withdrawal of the Russian troops and in criticizing President Lukashenko for his support for Putin’s military aggression on Ukraine.