Lukashenka once again defies the ILO
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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.
Aliaksandr Yarashuk, leader of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions, Vice-President of the International Trade Union Confederation, member of the ILO Governing Body, and until recently himself a political prisoner, will for the first time since his release be able to travel to Geneva and take part in the Governing Body session in person. It should be recalled that the regime effectively expelled him from the country by confiscating his passport.
Speaking to Gazetaby.com, Aliaksandr Yarashuk said that he was very pleased by the release of 250 political prisoners on 17 March.
“But my colleagues and I were deeply distressed that this time not a single one of the 20 members of the independent trade unions currently imprisoned was included among those released. Not even Vatslau Areshka, who has virtually lost his eyesight in detention.
One can only imagine the suffering and torment our colleague continues to endure. We can describe his continued imprisonment as nothing other than sadism. The same applies to the continued detention of Volha Brytsikava and Aliaksandr Kapshul, both of whom have serious health problems. And so it is with all our comrades, who were imprisoned for no reason at all and whose place is not behind bars, but in freedom.
Why was none of our colleagues released this time? The authorities have chosen to completely ignore Article 33 of the ILO Constitution and the need to comply with it. Moreover, they are doing so in an exceptionally demonstrative and aggressive manner. In its usual style, the regime is once again throwing down a challenge to the international community and to the ILO.
This is a short-sighted and not very intelligent position, so typical of those who hold power in Belarus. Because the greatest issue of concern today for many Belarusians, as well as for the international community, is the release of political prisoners.
On this issue, the regime could have earned itself a considerable number of points. Quite frankly, the lion’s share of the criticism regarding compliance with Article 33 of the ILO Constitution — criticism that will almost certainly be voiced at the Governing Body session — could have been lifted if the authorities had shown responsibility and humanity by releasing the political prisoners from among the members of the independent trade unions.
But, unfortunately, a different choice has been made. We shall now see what the consequences of this will be and what decisions will be taken in Geneva.”
