The Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions honoured with the George Meany–Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award

On 7 June, the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) received the George Meany–Lane Kirkland Human Rights Award. This award is one of the most prestigious international trade union honours.

It was presented to BKDP Deputy Chair Siarhei Antusevich during the constitutional convention of the AFL-CIO in Minneapolis.

“For the Belarusian independent trade union movement, this is not merely recognition of its achievements. It is a sign of international solidarity with thousands of Belarusian trade union activists who have faced repression, dismissal, arrest, and forced exile for their struggle for workers’ rights and freedom of association,” Siarhei Antusevich said.

“It is a great honour for me to represent the Belarusian independent trade union movement at this ceremony today and to accept this award on behalf of all those who, over many years, have defended and continue to defend workers’ dignity despite persecution and pressure. This award does not belong to particular individuals. It belongs to all Belarusian trade union activists — those who remain in Belarus, those who were forced to leave, those who have gone through prisons and repression but have not abandoned their principles.”

We thank the international trade union movement for its support and solidarity. Together, we continue the struggle for freedom, justice, and workers’ rights in Belarus.

It should be recalled that this is not the first trade union award for Belarusian independent trade unions, but that does not diminish the prestige of this American prize, which has previously been awarded to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, workers during the Arab Spring, the International Federation of Journalists, and others.

The award was established in honour of the outstanding leaders of the American labour movement, George Meany (the first president of the AFL-CIO) and Lane Kirkland (his successor), who devoted their lives to defending democratic freedoms and solidarity throughout the world.

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