The international trade union action entitled "Trade union activity – not extremism!" continues. On June 19 in Rome, representatives of the Italian trade union Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL) delivered a petition signed by activists from dozens of countries to the embassy of Belarus. The petition contains a demand to release trade union leaders of Belarus from prisons.
More than 6,500 activists from all over the world call on the government of Belarus to immediately release all political prisoners and stop repression. The demands also refer to the restoration of conditions and guarantees for legitimate trade union activities of independent trade unions in Belarus.
To date, actions have been held in Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, USA, Germany and Italy. Trade union activists from other countries also announced their intention to join the action in the near future.
Recall that in recent years of Lukashenko's rule a regime of total persecution was introduced in Belarus against those who do not agree with his policies. The situation worsened after the start of full-scale Russian military aggression in Ukraine. Currently, the authorities persecute anyone who speaks out against the war or criticizes the actions of the Belarusian leadership, which has become an ally of Russia in the military aggression.
There are 1502 political prisoners in Belarusian camps and prisons, including 44 trade union activists and leaders of democratic trade unions. The international public and trade unions around the world reacted to these acts of lawlessness by passing a resolution against the Belarusian government at the International Labor Conference (ILC) in early June. Members of the International Labor Organization (ILO) urge all governments to reconsider all relations with the Lukashenko regime.