{"id":181607,"date":"2026-03-30T16:48:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:48:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/181607\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:48:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T13:48:52","slug":"eu-concerned-about-political-retaliation-against-businesses-in-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/181607\/","title":{"rendered":"EU concerned about political retaliation against businesses in Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

March 26, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The European Union has expressed deep concern about political retaliation against businesses and employers that supported peaceful protests in Belarus in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EU released the statement<\/a> on the occasion of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Governing Body meeting that began in Geneva on March 23 and is expected to conclude on April 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBelarus continues to rank among the countries with the highest per capita number of political prisoners, many of whom are held in appalling conditions. More than 900 people are still unjustly detained in inhumane conditions of detention,\u201d the statement says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent unions remain eradicated and any involvement with them is criminalized, it notes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe release of 250 political prisoners almost two weeks ago was a signal of willingness to take step forward. Nonetheless, we note with deep concern that many of those released have not been exonerated, were forcibly deported from Belarus, left without means of subsistence and had their passports confiscated. Those allowed to stay in Belarus, including 235 political prisoners recently released, remain under strict surveillance and face restrictions that hinder their reintegration. This means their punishment continues even after the release.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EU denounced legislative developments that entrench repression, including measures restricting access to certain professions, such as auditors, educators, media and publishers, for former political prisoners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ILO Commission of Enquiry concluded back in 2003 that Belarus engaged in serious and systematic violations of trade unions\u2019 rights by interfering in union activities, intimidating union activists and denying access to genuine collective bargaining. Minsk has ignored its recommendations since then. Moreover, it banned all independent trade unions in the country and imprisoned their leaders.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reprisals keep targeting independent Belarusian publishers<\/h3>\n
March 27, Pozirk. New cases of politically-motivated persecution were documented in Belarus on March 25 and 26, as Na\u0161a Niva reported the arrest of D\u017amitryj Sa\u0144ko, which appears to be part of a wider crackdown on independent Belarusian publishers. Sa\u0144ko worked as editor …<\/div>\n \n