International solidarity leads to release of jailed union leaders in Belarus3 November, 2020Ten days ago we launched a campaign with LabourStart demanding the release of jailed trade union leaders in Belarus. After thousands of messages from trade union activists around the world, they have now been freed.
Women fighting for democracy in Belarus17 September, 2020On 12 September, around 10,000 women marched on the streets of Minsk, demanding the departure of Lukashenko. Since the protests began in August, and despite violent repression, women’s peaceful marches and protests continue in Belarus.
Union activist detained in Belarus over protest action3 September, 2020Lizaveta Merliak, international secretary of Belarusian Independent Trade Union (BITU), an IndustriALL Global Union affiliate, was arrested in front of her house in Grodno on 30 August. Thanks to pressure from activists both inside and outside Belarus, she was released from custody but will face trial later.
CIS unions demand improved health and safety in mines25 May, 2021When 60 participants from ten mining unions in seven CIS countries met on 20 May, the need for ratification and proper implementation of ILO Convention 176 on health and safety in mines was discussed.
Government of Belarus ignores ILC conclusions10 June, 2022The government of Belarus was widely condemned at the International Labour Organization International Labour Conference #ILC2022 for its attacks on independent trade unions, by workers' representatives, governments and employer bodies.Despite this, the country didn't even wait until the end of the ILC to intensify the crackdown.
IndustriALL denounces further escalation of repression against Belarus unions19 May, 2022There seems to be no end to the repression of union leaders in Belarus, with new attacks against the independent and democratic union movement and civil society every day.
Belarus must respect human rights8 December, 2022This year, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to a jailed human rights defender from Belarus, a country that has violated a number of core fundamental rights and freedoms for decades.
Belarus must release imprisoned union leaders and activists 19 January, 2023A court in Belarus has sentenced leaders of independent trade unions to unduly harsh prison terms up to nine years on politically motivated charges.To date, courts in Belarus have sentenced at least 16 leaders and activists of independent unions to lengthy prison terms or restriction of freedom.
The fight for jailed Belarusian trade unionists continues5 June, 2024Yesterday global unions, trade union activists and delegates in attendance at the 112th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva gathered at the Broken Chair to call for the immediate release of imprisoned Belarusian trade unionists and an end to the repression of workers’ rights.
Stand with imprisoned trade unionists on Human Rights Day7 December, 2022The right to freedom of association is one of the ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work, and yet right now there are too many people around the world in prison for joining or being active in a union.
