Trade union leaders tried behind closed doors in Minsk

November 25, BPN. The Minsk City Court has started hearing a criminal case against leaders and activists of the outlawed Belarusian Trade Union of Electronic Industry Workers (REP).

Authorities accuse Hienadź Fiadynič, a longtime leader of the electronic union, its acting chair Vasil Bierasnieŭ, and activist Viačasłaŭ (Vacłaŭ) Areška of inciting hatred, calling for sanctions, and creating and running an extremist group.

Judge Anastasija Papko has granted the prosecutor’s request to close the trial to the public, the Viasna Human Rights Center said.

A wave of arrests of independent trade union activists swept across Belarus on April 18 and 19. Human rights defenders consider the arrested trade union leaders 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 have condemned the crackdown and urged authorities to immediately restore workers’ right to freedom of association.