Independent trade union leaders, activists to go on trial in November

November 2, BPN. Several Minsk courts will start hearing criminal cases against leaders and activists of independent trade unions in November, says the schedule on the Supreme Court’s website.

Michaił Hromaŭ, former deputy chair of the defunct Belarusian Trade Union of Electronic Industry Workers will go on trial on November 3 at the Pieršamajski District Court. Authorities accuse him of participating in protests.

The trial of Vital Čyčmaroŭ and Jana Małaš, activists of the Free Union of Steel Industry Workers, will open on November 11 at the Zavadzki District Court, and on November 14 at the Maskoŭski District Court, respectively. Both are accused of participating in protests.

Hienadź Fiadynič, a longtime leader of the electronic union, its acting chair Vasil Bierasnieŭ, and activist Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška will go on trial on November 25 at the Minsk City Court. Authorities accuse them of inciting hatred, calling for sanctions, establishing and running an extremist group.

A wave of arrests of independent trade union activists swept across Belarus on April 18 and 19. Human rights defenders declared the arrested trade unionists political prisoners.

In July, the Supreme Court ruled to shut down all Belarusian independent trade unions as well as their umbrella organization, the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions.

International trade union organizations condemned the crackdown and urged authorities to immediately restore workers’ right to freedom of association.