The Belarusian authorities on 11 September released 52 political prisoners, among them two prominent trade union leaders: Alexandr Yaroshuk, President of the Belarus Independent Trade Union Confederation (BKDP), and Gennadiy Fedinich, President of the REP Trade Union.

Yaroshuk was sentenced by the Minsk City Court in December 2022 to four years in prison under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (“group actions violating public order”) and Article 361 (“calls for the application of sanctions”).

Fedinich faced even harsher punishment. In 2023, he received a nine-year sentence under Article 361 (“calls for actions against national security”), Article 361-1 (“creation of an extremist group”), and Article 130 (“incitement of hatred”).

Despite their release, the Belarusian government forced the freed prisoners to leave the country. All were taken to Latvia, even though some had refused to depart voluntarily.

Genevieve Kalina, BWI Regional Representative in Europe, welcomed the release but stressed that the struggle continues:

“Since 2022, BWI has joined the global labour movement in campaigning for freedom of association in Belarus and the release of all trade unionists imprisoned in the country. We celebrate the release of two trade union leaders, but will continue to campaign as 20 unionists are still in prison, and freedom of association is not observed in Belarus.”