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Campaings "Trade union activity is not extremism!" The campaign "Trade Union Activity is Not Extremism!" has been launched in order to attract the attention of the international community to the situation with workers' rights in Belarus. There is police terror, torture and harassment of those who disagree with Lukashenko's dictatorial regime, including trade union activists. The campaign calls for the release of trade union and political prisoners, an end to repression of trade union activists, and restoration of guarantees of legal activities of independent trade unions. The campaign is organized by the Association "Salidarnast," which provides support to trade union activists, and is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Lukashenko regime's 2022 union pogroms. The campaign runs from March 19 to April 22 2024, and aims to draw international attention to problems related to trade union rights in Belarus and contribute to their resolution. 19 April 2024 19 April 2024 19 April 2024 Day of Action for Trade Union Rights and Democracy in Belarus April 19. 2024, is the Day of Action for Trade Union Rights and Democracy in Belarus to demand the release of all imprisoned Belarusian union leaders. You will remember that the rule of Lukashenko and his system resulted in the dissolution of the four independent unions (BNP (BITU), SPB, SPM, and REP) and their national TU center BKDP and the arrest of its leaders in 2022. Currently, almost fifty union leaders and activists are held in custody. Many of them have been listed as extremists or terrorists. This was done to take away their rights and put them under constant surveillance even should they be released. The campaign to support them is organized by Salidarnast e.V. and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). ​ You are invited to publicly support the movement for independent trade unionism and democracy in Belarus and denounced the blatant harassment faced by Belarusian workers. We call upon you to join the campaign by doing one or more of the following actions: 01 Demand the release of trade unionists leaders Send a letter to the Government of the Republic of Belarus and hold actions in front of Belarusian embassies in your countries demanding access to and release of the incarcerated union leaders including Aliaksander Yarashuk, BKDP President, ITUC Vice-President, and a member of the ILO Governing Body. 03 Prepare letters on ILO resolutions Send letters to your national Governments urging them to fulfill the ILO Resolution adopted by the ILC in June 2023, with relation to the cultural, economic, trade, scientific, and other areas of international cooperation with Belarus and requesting information concerning actions they may already have taken in this regard covering issues of non-deportation of Belarusian refugees and interaction with other UN structures and international institutions, as well as urging them to take diplomatic efforts to ensure access to the imprisoned union leaders and their release. 05 Take part in thematic meetings on Belarus Demand that national representatives of the tripartite partners, as well as State representatives in various UN bodies take part in the high-level thematic meeting on Belarus before the next ILC as per the decision of the ILO Governing Body, to call upon Belarus to fulfill the recommendations of the ILO supervisory bodies and ensure that trade unions in the country are owned and governed by the workers and not the Government. 02 Organize the participation of national representatives in the meeting on Belarus Hold meetings on issues of comprehensive human rights due diligence concerning Belarusian employers and the Government, review the situation in supply chains, financial and other business services involving Belarusian companies, and take steps to use the leverage to address violations. 04 Record a video message of solidarity Make a video recording of your message of solidarity with the union leaders, stating that trade union activity is not extremism, calling for freedom of association and democracy in Belarus and for the release of the imprisoned Belarusian trade union leaders. Please post your messages in your communications outlets, using the hashtags #FreeBelarusUnionists #SolidarityWithBelarusTradeUnionists #SupportBelarusWorkersRights #April19_WorkersRights, so that we could share them further in our turn. 06 Join an online meeting to discuss the Belarusian issue You can also join the online meeting organized by the ITUC and the ETUC on April 19, 2024, from 09:30 to 11:00 am as part of the Day of Action for TU Rights and Democracy in Belarus. The meeting will be held in English and Russian; you can register HERE . Street Action • Street Action • Street Action • Street Action • Street Action • Street Action • Street Action ACTION OF SOLIDARITY On April 19, 2024, Salidarnast e.V. will hold a protest action to mark the Day; the gathering will take place in the Paris Square (Parise Platz), Berlin 10117, near the Brandenburg Gate, from 12:30 to 13:30. We shall be happy to see you attending. Location April 19, 2024 Location Berlin 10117 Paris Square (Parise Platz) Location 12:30 - 13:30 Solidarity campaign We call on everyone to join our campaign and support our demands. We must unite to achieve our rights and decent working conditions for Belarusian workers. Download here Download archive Campaign Posters - Type 1 Download Campaign Posters - Type 2 Download Campaign Posters - Type 3 Download Campaign Posters - Type 4 Download Campaing Posters - Type 5 Download Campaign Posters - Type 6 Download Campaign Posters - Type 7 Download Campaign Flyers (english, deutsch) Download Use the following hashtags: #FreeBelarusUnionists #SolidarityWithBelarusTradeUnionists #SupportBelarusWorkersRights #April19_WorkersRights Contacts for partners to get additional information/ feedback: Lizaveta Merliak, +4915203268972, liza.merliak@gmail.com ​ Maryia Taradzetskaya, +491637892590, traxy1988@gmail.com Timeline of the campaign: 19th of March 2024 – 24th of April 2024 Important dates: 19th of April 2024, 12.30-13.30 – “Salidarnast” protest action in Berlin LIVE broadcast from the action: https://www.facebook.com/events/424772346813387

“Salidarnast” materials were found to be extremist in Belarus On April 2, 2024 we learnt that all communications and logos of our organization had been put on the “National Roster of Extremist Materials”. The corresponding decision was taken by the Central District Court of the City of Minsk on March 28, 2024, and the announcement was posted on the web-site of the Belarusian Ministry of Interior. Read more About Salidarnast Who we are Salidarnast e.V. is an organization founded by trade union leaders and activists from Belarus, who were forced to leave the country because of repression and liquidation of democratic trade unions. Read More Latest News Khaing Zar Aung from Myanmar is awarded the Arthur Svensson Prize "Arthur Svensson's International Prize for Trade Union Rights" 2024 is awarded to the courageous trade union leader Khaing Zar Aung from Mya The union activist Aliaksandr Kashpul faces a potential transfer to prison The union activist Aliaksandr Kashpul faces a potential transfer to prison IndustriALL joins the Day of Action for Trade Union Rights and Democracy in Belarus On April 19, a Day of Action for Trade Union Rights and Democracy in Belarus will be held to demand the release of imprisoned Belarusian tra Read all news Imprisoned unionists 42 number of trade union leaders and activists illegally imprisoned 35 of them are men who fought for workers' rights and freedoms in Belarus 7 brave women who stood up for democratic values and the right to decent work Our brothers and sisters who have been imprisoned by the regime because of their beliefs Ablab Hanna Rabochy Rukh Aliakseichyk Aliaksei SPB Senik Maksim BNP Areshka Vatslau REP Berasneu Vasil REP Berdnikovich Uladzimir BNP Karneenka Hanna SPM Martsinovich Uladzislau SPB Shametska Siarhei Rabochy Rukh Chychmarou Vitali SPM Dziuba Siarhei Rabochy Rukh Fiadynich Hennadz REP View all Upcoming events No upcoming events at the moment

About Salidarnast Who we are The Salidarnast Association was founded by trade union leaders and activists from Belarus, who were forced to leave the country after the liquidation and repression of democratic trade unions. The charitable association is registered in Germany and based in Bremen. "Our history teaches us that dictatorships are never durable, no matter how strong they may seem for a time, while workers will never stop organising democratic trade unions in their constant struggle for freedom and justice for themselves and for society." Dan Gallin Our mission The goal of Association Salidarnast is the revival of an independent trade union movement in Belarus with the aim of creating a democratic society based on the principles of social justice and decent work. Our vision We cannot leave our colleagues in prisons without support and Belarusian workers alone with the regime. Despite the destruction of the independent trade union movement, workers in Belarus remain the force which can resist the dictatorship. And we must support their aspirations for democracy in every way we can, and at the same time preserve the trade union culture. Aims and Objectives Our aims and objectives are purely charitable. We provide assistance to politically persecuted persons, trade union refugees from Belarus, and promote public and trade union education. Activities We implement our activities through organising public events, international and information work. Expert analysis of the social, legal and economic situation in Belarus, education and trade union training programmes, and cooperation with similar organisations and initiatives.

Campaings "Trade union activity is not extremism!" The campaign "Trade Union Activity is Not Extremism!" has been launched in order to attract the attention of the international community to the situation with workers' rights in Belarus. There is police terror, torture and harassment of those who disagree with Lukashenko's dictatorial regime, including trade union activists. The campaign calls for the release of trade union and political prisoners, an end to repression of trade union activists, and restoration of guarantees of legal activities of independent trade unions. The campaign is organized by the Association "Salidarnast," which provides support to trade union activists, and is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Lukashenko regime's 2022 union pogroms. The campaign runs from April 19 to the end of June 2023, and aims to draw international attention to problems related to trade union rights in Belarus and contribute to their resolution. Solidarity campaign We call on everyone to join our campaign and support our demands. We must unite to achieve our rights and decent working conditions for Belarusian workers. Download here Download archive Campaign Posters - Type 1 Download Campaign Posters - Type 2 Download Campaign Posters - Type 3 Download Campaign Posters - Type 4 Download Campaing Posters - Type 5 Download Campaign Posters - Type 6 Download Campaign Posters - Type 7 Download Campaign Flyers (english, spanish) Download Use the following hashtags: #Salidarnast #BelarusSolidarityCampaign #BKDP Take part in the LabourStart information campaign here: https://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=5264 Contacts for partners to get additional information/ feedback: Lizaveta Merliak, +4915203268972, liza.merliak@gmail.com ​ Maryia Taradzetskaya, +491637892590, traxy1988@gmail.com Timeline of the campaign: 19th of April 2023 – end of June 2023 Important dates: 12 April MST protest action in Argentina 19 April (12.00-13.00) “Salidarnast” protest action in Berlin End of April (28-30) LabourStart Conference in Tbilisi, Georgia

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Prisoners Our brothers and sisters who have been imprisoned by the regime because of their beliefs Rabochy Rukh Ablab Hanna Engineer of the Transportation Control Center of the Belarusian Railway in the train schedule development department. Detained by KGB operatives on September 20, 2021 after a search in her house and placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. She was charged under Part 1 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Sentenced to 11 years in prison. She has two minor children. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 4 246035, Homiel, vulica Antoshkina 3 SPB Aliakseichyk Aliaksei He was detained at the workplace, at the National Scientific Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology. Aleksey Alekseychik is a doctor with more than 20 years of experience performing bone marrow transplantation. Sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 17 213004, Shklou city, vulica 1 Zavodskaya 8 Now! Free trade union activists! The Association «Salidarnast» considers one of the main tasks to be the struggle for the release of our arrested colleagues, recognized as political prisoners. We will fight for their freedom till the end! REP Areshka Vatslau REP trade union activist, trade union newspaper editor. Arrested on April 19, 2022 after a search in the apartment. On January 5, 2023, he was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was been held in Mogilev Prison #4. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 17 213004, Škloŭ, vulica 1-ja Zavodskaja 8 ​ ​ REP Berasneu Vasil Acting chairman of the REP trade union. He was detained on April 19, 2022 as part of a criminal case, placed in a pre-trial detention center and charged. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison under a reinforced regime. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 15 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183 BNP Berdnikovich Uladzimir Sentenced to 4 years in prison under article 364: "Violence or the threat of violence against an employee of the internal affairs bodies." According to relatives, 4.10. 2020, Vladimir was at one of the rallies, running away during dispersal, he was knocked down by a water cannon from the parapet, and he fell from a height onto an riot police officer. Later, this fall was regarded as violence against a police officer. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: ​ Will be updated soon... SPM Sakovich Sviatlana Sviatlana, a member of the SPM trade union and a former employee of the MTZ foundry, was detained by the Belarusian police in August 2022 for participating in protests that took place in Belarus in 2020. The woman was convicted on November 25, 2022 for a crime under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order). The court found her guilty and sentenced Sviatlana to three years of restriction of freedom without being sent to a correctional institution. Svetlana was released in the courtroom. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") BNP Kukharonak Aliaksandr Aliaksandr Kukharonak, who was one of the first to declare a strike at the enterprise in 2020, was detained on August 11 by riot police in the village of Rositsa, Verkhnedvinsk district. The searches took place in his apartment in Navapolatsk, as well as at his parents' house and in the village of Rositsa. Kukharonak is charged under Article 361 of the Criminal Code (calls for restrictive measures (sanctions), other actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus), but it's not known in what part. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: SIZO No. 2 210026, Gagarina Street 2, Viciebsk SPM Varanovich Zmitser Zmitser, a member of the SPM trade union and a former employee of BelAZ, was found guilty of insulting Lukashenka and (Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code) and two policemen (Article 369 of the Criminal Code). The man was sentenced to two and a half years in a penal colony under general regime conditions and a fine of 100 basic units. The court session was held behind closed doors at the request of the representative of the prosecutor's office. Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 17 213004, Škloŭ, vulica 1-ja Zavodskaja 8 SPM Chychmarou Vitali A former engineer. He was fired in 2020 due to trade union activities. He managed the primary organization of the Free Trade Union of Metalworkers. He was detained on April 19, 2022, and the house was searched. Vitaly was charged, he was placed in a pre-trial detention center. He has a minor child. Vitali has been sentenced to three years of restricted freedom under home confinement. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") Rabochy Rukh Dziuba Siarhei Rabochy Rukh activist, worked as a dispatcher at the Transportation Control Center of the Belarusian Railway. In November 2020, he joined the nationwide strike. Detained by KGB operatives on September 20, 2021 after a search in the house and placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. A criminal case has been initiated under part 1 of article 356 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Sentenced to 12 years in prison. He has three minor children. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 3 211322, Viciebsk region, Vićba REP Fiadynich Hennadz Former chairman of the Independent Trade Union of Radioelectronic Industry Workers - REP. Gennady was detained on April 19, 2022 and placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. Then he was charged and transferred to SIZO-1. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison under a high security regime. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 2 213800, Babrujsk, vulica Sikorskaha 1 Rabochy Rukh Hashnikau Aliaksandr Locksmith BMZ in Zhlobin, where he simultaneously worked as secretary-treasurer of the primary organization of the BNP. He was detained on September 18, 2021. He was detained as part of the investigation of a criminal case on “high treason” (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) against several workers of Belarusian factories who supported local strikes after the falsification of the August elections. 2020 and were part of the Labor Rights Group "Rabochy Rukh". Sentenced to 14 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 1 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8 REP Sharenda-Panasiuk Palina Public and trade union activist from Brest. Palina was detained on 3 January 2021 and charged under Article 364 of the Criminal Code (Violence against a police officer) for inflicting a scratch on one of the policemen who came to her home. Later it became known that she was also accused of insulting the president (Article 368 of the Criminal Code) and a representative of the authorities (Article 369 of the Criminal Code). During her imprisonment Palina was placed in a punishment cell several times, she complained about psychological and physical pressure. She was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in a colony under general regime. As of the beginning of December 2021, Palina had already been placed in the punitive isolator five times since August. It is known that another case has been opened on her under Article 411 of the Criminal Code – Malicious disobedience of the requirements of the administration of the correctional facility. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: SIZO No. 1 220050, vulica Valadarskaha 2, Minsk. REP Smirnova Halina Smirnova Halina, who previously headed the Bobruisk regional organization of the Belarusian Trade Union of Radioelectronic Industry Workers (REP), was detained in Bobruisk on March 24, 2023. The woman was placed in a temporary detention center. A criminal case was initiated against Halina under Article 108 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Detention on immediate suspicion of committing a crime) and Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order, or active participation in them). The court found Halina guilty and sentenced her to two years of restriction of freedom without being sent to a correctional institution. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") SPM Hromau Mikhail Secretary of the Free Trade Union of Metalworkers trade union council. He was arrested on April 19, 2022. Mikhail was charged and placed in a pre-trial detention center. He is charged with Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (Group actions grossly violating public order) and sentenced to 2 and a half years of restricted freedom under home confinement. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") SPB Kandratsiuk Aliaksandr On September 5, Aliaksandr Kandratsiuk, a member of SPB, a junior researcher at the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, was detained and charged under three articles of the Criminal Code: Article 130 part 1 – incitement of social enmity, Article 368 and Article 369 part 1 – public insult of the President and discrediting the Republic of Belarus for the comments in social networks. The court found Aliaksandr guilty and sentenced him to three and a half years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: ​ Will be updated soon... SPM Karneenka Hanna Anna, a former accountant of the Minsk Electrotechnical Plant named after Vavilov and a member of the SPM trade union, was fired after the "People's Ultimatum" in 2020 and was suing the company for illegal dismissal. Recently it became known that a criminal case was opened against her. The woman was charged under Art. 203-1 part 3 (illegal actions in relation to information about private life and personal data), art. 130 part 3 (inciting racial, national, religious or other social hatred). The court found Hanna guilty and sentenced her to five years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal Colony No. 4 246035, Antoshkina str. 3, Homel, Belarus Rabochy Rukh Kapshul Aliaksandr Legal adviser of JSC Naftan and Polymir plants. He was detained on September 25, 2021 in Russia and handed over to the KGB officers of Belarus, who secretly brought him to Minsk, bypassing the official extradition procedure. He was detained as part of the investigation of a criminal case on “high treason” (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) against several workers of Belarusian factories who supported local strikes after the rigged elections in August 2020 and were members of the Rabochy Rukh. Sentenced to 14 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 15 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183 BNP Khanevich Andrei Chairperson of Belarusian Independent trade union at JSC Grodno Azot. After the court ruling had been recognized the union organization as an extremist group, the criminal accusation of the chairperson followed. On November 16th 2022 Khanevich faced the trial on accusations of aiding and abetting in extremist activities and was sentenced to five years of imprisonment. Andrei is going to appeal to the Supreme Court. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 1 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8 BNP Brytsikava Volha Volha, former chairperson of the primary trade union organization of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union (BNP) at JSC “Naftan”, was again detained on August 11 by the riot police. Brytsikava is accused under Part 1 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code (public calls for the seizure of state power, or violent change of the constitutional order, or treason, or committing an act of terrorism or sabotage, or the implementation of actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Republic of Belarus, or other actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus, including the application of restrictive measures (sanctions) against the Republic of Belarus). ​ Current location of the political prisoner: SIZO No. 2 210026, Gagarina Street 2, Viciebsk SPB Mialeshka Aliaksandr Board member of SPB union branch organization “Panacea”. An employee of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Children's Oncology, Hematology and Immunology was sentenced to three years of restricted freedom under home confinement allegedly for taking part in two unauthorized mass events in 2020. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") SPB Barushka Volha Volha, an anesthesiologist-resuscitator at the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology. She was detained in August 2022 for comments on the Internet. Volha was charged under Article 369 of the Criminal Code (Insulting a representative of the authorities) and Article 391 of the Criminal Code (Insulting a judge). On December 22, 2022, the court sentenced her to 2 years in a minimum-security penal colony. On March 17, 2023 an appeal hearing was held: the verdict was upheld and the appeal was not satisfied. Since April 2023, Volha has been kept in penal colony No. 4. She was put on the list of persons involved in extremist activities. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal Colony No. 4 246035, Antoshkina str. 3, Homel Naftan Mints Ihar Ihar is a legal adviser to Naftan OJSC. He was detained and placed in the KGB pre-trial detention facility in Minsk the day after the search of his house in Novopolotsk on 22 September 2021. Mints was charged with high treason (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) in the Rabochy Rukh case. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 17 213004, Škloŭ, vulica 1-ja Zavodskaja 8 BNP Mishuk Aliaksandr Vice-chairperson of the Belarusian Independent trade union, BNP; chairperson of the Independent trade union of miners at JSC Belaruskali; he was arrested on 25th of May 2022 after a search in his office and at home, placed in a pre-trial detention center and charged under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (Organization or active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order). He was tried and sentenced to 2 and a half years of imprisonment. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 15 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183 Rabochy Rukh Paheryla Andrei Repairman of the Ammonia-3 shop of Grodno Azot JSC. He was detained on September 17, 2021. He was held in custody as part of the investigation of a criminal case on “high treason” (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) in the case of “Rabochy Rukh”. Sentenced to 14 years in prison. He has two minor children. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 2 213800, Babrujsk, vulica Sikorskaha 1 REP Nazarava Alena Alena is an activist of the REP union. ​ Will be added soon... NOW! Free trade union activists! The Association «Salidarnast» considers one of the main tasks to be the struggle for the release of our arrested colleagues, recognized as political prisoners. We will fight for their freedom till the end! Rabochy Rukh Shelest Siarhei Operator of the Ammonia-3 shop of JSC Grodno Azot. He was detained as part of the investigation of a criminal case on “high treason” (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) in the case of “Rabochy Rukh”. Sentenced to 14 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 15 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183 BNP Balonkin Aliaksandr Aliaksandr, a design engineer of Navapolatsk Naftan and deputy head of the independent trade union of Naftan workers, was detained on August 12, 2023. He is charged with article 361 of the Criminal Code. Aliaksandr has already been detained before. On September 27, 2021, he was brought to administrative responsibility under Art. 19.11 Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the policemen, Balonkin on his Instagram page "distributed an information product included in the republican list of extremist materials" - the materials of the case included a screenshot of the publication, on which a man stands with a poster "I/we are TUT.BY". The man did not plead guilty, but Judge Zinaida Balabolova arrested him for 15 days. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: SIZO No. 2 210026, Gagarina Street 2, Viciebsk Rabochy Rukh Tseranevich Valiantsin Assistant foreman of the Khimvolokno plant of Grodno Azot OJSC and deputy chairman of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union at Grodno Azot. Valiantsin was detained on September 20, 2021. He was accused of "high treason" (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) in the case of the "Rabochy Rukh". Sentenced to 12 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 1 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8 Rabochy Rukh Shametska Siarhei Siarhei, an employee of CJSC "Atlant", is a defendant in the "Rabochy Rukh" case. He was under criminal investigation for treason against the state (part 1 of article 356 of the Criminal Code), as well as under part 3 of article 361-1 of the Criminal Code (participation in an extremist formation). On November 9th, 2022 the consideration of the "Rabochy Rukh" case, in which ten political prisoners were involved, started in Homel regional court. On February 17th , 2023, Homel regional court passed a verdict - Siarhei was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment under a strengthened regime. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: 225295 Ivatsevichi, PO Box 20 BKDP Yarashuk Aliaksandr Acting member of the Governing Body of the ILO; Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC); Chairman of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP). On April 19, 2022, searches were carried out in his office and house, and equipment was seized. He was detained and placed in a pre-trial detention center. Charged under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (342 part 1 and 361 part 3). Sentenced by the Minsk city court to 4 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Prison No. 4 212011, vulica Krupskaya, 99A, Mahilioŭ SPM Zharnak Artsiom A former engineer of the Minsk Automobile plant. He was fired in 2020 due to trade union activities. He managed the primary organization of the Free Trade Union of Metalworkers. He was arrested on November 17, 2021. He was taken into custody on charges under Part 3 of Art. 293 and Art. 361 of the Criminal Code for training rioters and calling for restrictive measures. In October, 2022 he was tried and sentenced to four years of imprisonment in the penal colony. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 1 211440, Navapolack, vulica Techničnaya 8 Rabochy Rukh Zhurauka Uladzimir Operator of the Ammonia-3 shop of JSC "Grodno Azot". He was detained on September 18, 2021. Convicted in the framework of a criminal case on "high treason" (Article 356 of the Criminal Code) in the "Rabochy Rukh" case. Sentenced to 15 years in prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 2 213800, Babrujsk, vulica Sikorskaha 1 SPB Martsinovich Uladzislau Uladzislau a fourth-year student of the Belarusian State Medical University, was detained on 19 November 2020. He was charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (group actions that grossly violate public order). On November 15, 2021 the court sentenced Uladzislau to four years in a general regime colony. At the end of January 2022, Vladislau was transferred from SIZO-1 to penal colony No. 15 in Mahiliou. He was put on the list of persons involved in extremist activities. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 15 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183 BNP Senik Maksim Maxim is a member of the Grodno Azot Independent Trade Union and was detained in Grodno for taking part in protests in 2020 and for reposting on social media. He faces charges under Article 342 of the Criminal Code - Organising and preparing acts grossly violating public order, or actively participating in them. On June 12, 2023 the Grodno Regional Court sentenced him to four years' imprisonment in a medium security penal colony. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Prison No. 1 230023, Hrodna, vulica Kirava, 1. MTZ Puchak Dzianis Dzianis Puchak, a former MTZ employee, was detained on November 22, 2022. He was charged under Part 1 of Art. 342 of the Criminal Code (Active participation in group actions that grossly violate public order). He was placed in SIZO-1. The case of the political prisoner was considered in the court of the Partizansky district of Minsk. On February 28, 2023, the court found Denis guilty and sentenced him to two and a half years of restriction of freedom without being sent to a correctional institution. He was released from custody in the courtroom. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") REP Artsiom Parkhamovich Artem Parkhamovich, a former employee of Beltelecom and a member of the REP trade union, was detained in October 2020. He was placed in a pre-trial detention center and charged with transferring personal data of policemen to the telegram channel. On November 25, 2021, the trial began, which was held behind closed doors, and at which it became known that Artyom was charged with a total of eight articles of the Criminal Code: 130, 198, 203-1, 352, 364, 365, 366, 389 (complicity in deliberate actions aimed at inciting other social enmity and discord on the basis of a different social belonging, committed by a group of persons, etc.). On February 8, 2022, the Minsk City Court sentenced Artyom to 11 years in a high security penal colony. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 17 213004, Škloŭ, vulica 1-ja Zavodskaja 8 BNP Kasila Aleh Aleh Kosilo, leading engineer of Krasnaselskstroymaterialy, is charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Belarus - Article 188 and Article 341. The defendant refused to be defended by a lawyer. He defended his rights in court himself. To On the merits he was sentenced to 2 years and 2 months of restriction of liberty without sending him to an open prison. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Restricted freedom under home confinement ("domashnyaya khimiya") REP Murauyou Aliaksandr Aliaksandr, a taxi driver and an activist of the REP union, was detained on May 25, 2021 in connection with the "Busly liatiat" initiative. ​ At the end of September 2022, the judge of the Minsk City Court, Anastasia Papko, announced the verdicts in the case of the "Busly liatiat" initiative, sentencing Aliaksandr Murauyou to 12 years in a prison under the enhanced regime under articles 361, 218, 361-1, 130, 290-4, 359 of the Criminal Code. ​ The "Busly liatiat" case was considered behind closed doors for several months. Prosecutor Yulia Lanevskaya spoke on behalf of the state prosecution in the case. ​ Aliaksandr has a small child. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Prison No. 4 212011, vulica Krupskaya, 99A, Mahilioŭ SPM Shulgat Andrei Andrei is a former MTZ employee. He was detained on September 29, 2021 for comments on social networks about the death of Andrei Zeltser and a KGB officer. A criminal case was opened against Andrei under Part 1 of Art. 130 of the Criminal Code (Incitement of hatred) and Art. 369 of the Criminal Code (insulting a representative of authority). On January 31, 2023, the KGB added the political prisoner to the list of "persons involved in terrorist activities." ​ Current location of the political prisoner: ​ Will be updated soon... SPM Batura Yauhen Yauhen, a former MTZ worker, was detained on June 29, 2022 in Minsk after a search of his apartment. He was detained for participation in a protest action in 2020. Yauhen was charged under Article 342 of the Criminal Code (Group Acts Grossly Disrupting Public Order). The political prisoner was sentenced to two years of restriction of liberty with placement in a penitentiary facility. He was put on the list of persons involved in extremist activities. ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Open correctional facility No. 43 212029, Pushkin Avenue 65, Mahilioŭ BNP Zabiran Aliaksei Aliaksei, an employee at JSC Grodno Azot, was detained on 4 November 2021 in the framework of the criminal case under Art 369 of the Criminal Code (insulting a representative of the authorities), as well as Art 368 (insulting Lukashenka) and Art 130 (inciting hatred or discord). On June 23, 2022 the Grodno Regional Court sentenced him to three years' imprisonment in a minimum security penal colony, as well as 1000 rubles as a payment to the victim and a fine of 1600 rubles. He was put on the lists of "persons involved in extremist activities" and of "persons involved in terrorist activities." ​ Current location of the political prisoner: Penal colony No. 15 213105, Mahilioŭ, Viejna, Slaŭharadskaja šaša 183 ​ NOW! Free trade union activists! The Association «Salidarnast» considers one of the main tasks to be the struggle for the release of our arrested colleagues, recognized as political prisoners. We will fight for their freedom till the end!

Donate Support "Salidarnast" Dear brothers and sisters, friends, colleagues and partners! We are pleased to announce that you can now support our activities using the details below: Salidarnast e.V. ​

Campaings Trade union activity is not extremism! Exactly one year ago, on April 19, 2022, mass searches and detentions began in the offices of democratic trade unions in Belarus. Dozens of leaders and activists of trade unions belonging to the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions were arrested, and the leadership of the BKDP was also detained. The reason for the arrests was the public anti-war trade union position and criticism of the Belarusian leadership for violations of basic human rights. More than 30 trade unionists were convicted on trumped-up charges, some of them for 9 years. We believe that the global information campaign will help to draw the attention of the international community to the problems related to trade union rights in Belarus and will be able to contribute to their solution. Therefore, we call on everyone to join our campaign and support our demands. We must unite to achieve our rights and decent working conditions for Belarusian workers. And Belarus should become the principal battlefield for the rights of workers, not only for trade unions, but for everyone who shares the views of the democratic labor movement. Trade union activity is not extremism, and we will not stop until we reach our goal - freedom and justice for workers in Belarus! Solidarity campaign Association «Salidarnast» and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) call on trade union leaders and activists around the world to hold actions of solidarity with the arrested Belarusian trade unionists Download here Download archive Chairman of the BKDP Aliaksandr Yarashuk Download Deputy chair of the BKDP Siarhei Antusevich Download Accountant of the BKDP Iryna But-Husaim Download Free jailed unionists Poster 1 Download Free jailed unionists Poster 2 Download Free jailed unionists Poster 3 Download Free jailed unionists Poster 4 Download Free jailed unionists Flyer blank + Eng text Download Act now! LabourStart flyer Download Act now! LabourStart flyer blank Download Free jailed unionists Flyer Eng Download Free jailed unionists Facebook frame Download

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