On April 19, 2022, many Belarusian independent unions’ leaders and activists were arrested. The date became a milestone in the history of the massive repressions in the country. We share with you why the regime fears union activists more than it may seem.

It has become known that yet another member of the independent trade union movement in Belarus has fallen victim to political persecution. Viktar Haŭrylavec, a member of the Belarusian Free Trade Union, was convicted under the charge of so-called “facilitating extremist activity”.

On 20 April, the fourth anniversary of his arrest, Aliaksandr Yarashuk, leader of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), took part in a meeting of the Executive Board of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB). During his visit to Austria, he thanked Austrian trade unionists for their support and stressed that international solidarity had been one of the factors that contributed to his release.

A group of Belarusian physicians from the independent healthcare workers’ union has conducted a study of the state of the country’s healthcare system.

Deputy Chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) Maksim Pazniakou took part in the 39th Panhellenic Congress of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE), held on 16–18 April 2026 in Heraklion. During the international event on collective bargaining and social dialogue, he raised the issue of the continuing repression of workers and independent trade unions in Belarus.

The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has issued a statement calling for the immediate and unconditional release of trade union leaders, activists and all political prisoners in Belarus.

At the headquarters of the International Labour Organization in Geneva, ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo met with Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), who spent four years in detention for his trade union activities.

At the 356th Session of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization, discussion of the “Belarus issue” was concluded. The matter was considered under item 12 of the agenda: “Follow-up to the implementation of the resolution concerning measures recommended by the Governing Body under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution with regard to Belarus.”

During the 356th Session of the International Labour Organization, Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), expressed his gratitude to the Workers’ Group at the ILO and to ACTRAV for the solidarity and support shown to him during his imprisonment in Belarus.

On 30 March, the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization will meet in Geneva to consider the issue of the Belarusian authorities’ compliance with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution. One of the requirements under Article 33 is the prompt release of political prisoners — trade union leaders and activists.

On 18 March, the International Day of Political Prisoners, a solidarity action was held in Bremen to draw attention to the fate of people deprived of their liberty for political reasons. Particular attention on this day was given to Belarusian trade union political prisoners.

On March 12-13, a meeting of the Youth Committee of the Pan-European Regional Council took place. The BKDP was represented by Yauheni Dzenisenka.

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has awarded the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) the George Meany–Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award. This was announced in an official AFL-CIO statement.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Alena Yaskova—the National Legal Adviser of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), one of the founders of BKDP’s women’s direction, and a person of exceptional professional integrity and human dignity.

As noted on the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) website, the EESC’s External Relations Section (REX) held a debate on 23 February 2026 to address the alarming deterioration of trade union freedoms in Belarus.

Belarusian independent trade unions express solidarity with the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) and the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), who have issued a joint statement titled “Responsible Exit Is the Only Responsible Choice in Myanmar’s War Economy.”

A new case of criminal prosecution against a trade union activist has been reported. Ruslan Badamshyn, an activist of the Free Trade Union of Belarus (SPB) and a member of the "Panacea" union of healthcare workers, has been recognised as a political prisoner and sentenced to two years and six months of imprisonment in a general-regime penal colony.

In an interview with ACTRAV INFO on trade union resilience amid growing global instability, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) General Secretary Luc Triangle highlighted the release of Aliaksandr Yarashuk, Chair of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), as one of the most significant achievements of the international trade union movement in 2025.

On 13–15 February 2026, the Belarusian diaspora gathering “Workshop of the Future” took place in Germany, bringing together representatives of various initiatives and sectors, including human rights organizations, media, cultural initiatives, IT communities, and trade unions. Salidarnast e.V. was represented at the event by Maryia Taradzetskaya and Sviatlana Ushchapouskaya.

The Salidarnast Association held an international conference “Belarus: Trade Union Actions under Article 33” in Bremen, Germany.