Valentin Urusov has won the International Prize for Trade Union Rights

The Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights for 2013 has been awarded to Russian trade union leader Valentin Urusov. The ITUC joined the KTR, IUF and IndustriAll and several national centers in supporting his nomination.

On 15 March 2013, the ITUC welcomed the release of Valentin Urusov. In early 2008, Urusov, a miner and trade union leader, was detained by the authorities for alleged narcotics possession. However, his arrest coincided suspiciously with preparations for a protest rally by workers at the state-owned Alrosa diamond mining company – a rally which Urusov helped organise. He was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.
“We are glad that Valentin Urusov has won the prize,” said Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary. “We strongly supported him during his time in prison and we will do so with every trade unionist illegally detained.”