Free all arrested trade unionists in Belarus!

19 April will go down in Belarus’ history as a black day for the independent trade union movement. The State Security Service (KGB) arrested more than a dozen trade union activists, many of whom are key trade union leaders. Among those arrested are Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) President Alexandr Yarashuk and Vice President Siarhei Antusevich, and Mikalaj Sharakh, the head of the Free Belarusian Trade Union. Aliaksandr Bukhvostau, the head of the Free Trade Union of Metal Workers (SPM), was also arrested but was taken to the hospital after experiencing a heart problem.

For decades, the independent trade union movement in Belarus has taken a strong stand against the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko. Despite a severe political crackdown, the BKDP has openly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demanded the withdrawal of the Russian troops from the territory of Belarus. 

BWI and other global unions, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Amnesty International and many others have already condemned the arrests and called for a stop on  the repression suffered by the Belarusian trade unions.

Join us in demanding the immediate release of all detained Belarusian trade union activists and a stop on the persecution of the independent trade unions in Belarus.

Sign here.