The situation after the presidential elections on the 9th of August in Belarus has seen mass protests of an unprecedented scale against the regime. Elections were a fraud. The main opposition candidates were harassed and not allowed to compete. Despite clear evidence to the opposite, the authorities announced the landslide re-election of President Lukashenko on 9 August 2020. People took to the streets in many parts of Belarus, claiming ‘electoral theft’ had taken place. While the world’s attention focuses on the mass protests and hundreds of arrests, a less visible but vitally important struggle for workers’ rights, in particular, the right to strike, is underway in workplaces around the country.
We support the demands of independent trade unions in Belarus to:
- stop the violence, persecution and arrests;
- release all imprisoned union leaders, activists, and civil society representatives;
- respect the right to strike and
- start a dialogue with the opposition council, including representatives of independent trade unions, in order to re-run the election with an independent election commission and international observers.
In solidarity with our colleagues in the Belarusian independent trade union movement who have been on indefinite strikes since the elections, the ITUC, along with other Brussels based trade union organisations, will demonstrate at the Belarusian Embassy in Brussels on Monday 12 October 2020.
Further details on the situation in Belarus are available here.
Practical details
Where?
At the Belarussian Embassy in Brussels located in Avenue Molière 192, 1050 Ixelles.
When?
The demonstration will take place 13:00-14:00 on Monday 12 October 2020.
Who?
It is a public demonstration open to all who wish to carry a message of solidarity with the striking people of Belarus. Representatives of various trade unions and other organisations will be present. Don’t forget to wear red and white colours!
