The regime released some political prisoners after talks with the United States, but trade unionists remain behind bars
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On 19 March, John Cole, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, arrived in Minsk. During his visit, the issue of the release of political prisoners was among the topics discussed. Following the talks, it became known that another group of the regime’s prisoners had been released.
As during previous visits by the US intermediary, the releases were accompanied by the forced deportation of some people from Belarus. According to available information, under agreements reached with US mediation, the Lukashenka regime pardoned 250 people. Of these, 235 were released inside Belarus, while at least 15 political prisoners were taken to Lithuania. It is also known that five of those released were transported there without passports.
The Viasna Human Rights Centre has published a list of those released whose names have already appeared in the media. The independent trade unions of Belarus welcome the release of people who should never have been imprisoned in the first place. Every such release is an important and long-awaited event for the prisoners themselves, their families, and everyone seeking an end to political repression in Belarus.
At the same time, it is impossible not to note that none of those released are trade union leaders or activists of the independent trade union movement. It is especially alarming that Vatslau Areshka is not on the list, as his state of health gives rise to serious concern. According to available information, he has effectively lost his sight in detention.
Seventy-year-old Vatslau Areshka was detained on 19 April 2022. In January 2023, he was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment in a high-security penal colony. Among the charges brought against him was Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code — the creation of an “extremist formation” and participation in it.
The Belarusian authorities designated as such a “formation” the Belarusian Trade Union of Workers of the Radio-Electronic Industry, where Vatslau Areshka edited the union bulletin. Vatslau Areshka is known not only as a trade union activist, but also as a figure of Belarusian culture.
As long as leaders of independent trade unions remain behind bars, and as long as people are still imprisoned for exercising their right to association, solidarity, and free expression, it is impossible to speak of any real change in the situation.
