Read this article in:
English
23 September, 2026On 16 September, Belarus released 25 political prisoners. While their release is welcome, hundreds of others remain imprisoned, including trade union activist Vatslau Areshka.
Since the disputed 2020 election, Belarusian authorities have systematically dismantled independent trade unions and punished workers for exercising their fundamental rights. All independent unions have been liquidated, and dozens of trade union leaders and activists have been arrested and jailed.
Vatslau Areshka, a political scientist and organizer with the Belarusian Trade Union of Radio-Electronic Industry Workers (REP), was arrested in April 2022. In January 2023 he was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of participating in an extremist organization and inciting social hatred.
His health has deteriorated severely in detention. Areshka’s eyesight has declined dramatically, and he is now nearly blind.
According to the human rights centre Viasna, 866 people are currently recognized as political prisoners and remain in custody in Belarus. More than 8,700 people have been convicted in politically motivated criminal cases since 2020.
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie says:
“We welcome the release of the prisoners last week. But imprisoning trade unionists is a violation of fundamental human human rights and we will not rest they are all released. Organizing is not a crime and we will continue the struggle for freedom of association in Belarus.”