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Subito libertà e democrazia in Bielorussia Fim Cisl e i metalmeccanici italiani sostengono i lavoratori e i sindacati indipendenti in sciopero contro frodi elettorali e violenze del governo Lukashenko

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Rome, 18 th August 2020

Statement of Fim CISL on Belarus

Fim CISL express outrage, anger and protest at the disproportionate violence, persecution and arrests directed at people peacefully protesting the results of the presidential elections on August 9.

Independent observers report serious fraud, manipulation and irregularities before, during and after the elections. Lukashenko’s authoritarian regime responded by cutting internet access for several days, and arresting protestants and independent journalists.

Reportedly, at least one person was killed and many were hospitalized with severe injuries during three days of protests in Minsk and other cities in Belarus.

According to reports, many people were detained and severely beaten, including union leaders who peacefully participated in the elections as independent observers.

Jan Roman, a journalist and activist of the Free Metal Workers’ Union (SPM), was brutally beaten and detained at the police station, after going to inquire about the fate of colleagues who had been arrested earlier.

During more than a quarter century of anti-democratic authoritarian rule, the international union movement has witnessed repressive rule and economic downturn accompanied by the disappearances of political opponents, and the repression of independent trade unions and their leaders. Most recently, the regime’s inability to manage COVID-19 lead to a further crisis of legitimacy, culminating in fraudulent results being announced after the recent elections.

Lukashenko was declared the winner despite evidence that the choice of the majority was the complete opposite. This was the last straw, triggering protests throughout Belarus to demand a re-run of the elections.

From the perspective of the global union movement, Belarus has a reputation for the continuous systemic violation of freedom of association and fundamental workers’ rights. This included the introduction of compulsory fixed-term contracts with the aim of intimidating workers, the denial of basic freedoms and the suppression of independent and free civil society institutions and trade unions.

Fim Cisl express solidarity and sympathy with the people, civil society and trade unions of Belarus. We stand for the universal principles of democracy, including freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of access to information as the fundamental prerequisites of a democratic society.

The use of extreme measures such as stun grenades, tear-gas, rubber bullets and other military equipment against peaceful protests is inacceptable and will only lead to an escalation of the situation in the country.

Therefore, Fim Cisl urge the Belorussian Government to immediately halt the violence, persecution and arrests, and release all imprisoned union leaders, activists, and civil society representatives.

The Belorussian Government must enter into constructive dialogue with representatives of civil society and carry out accurate and transparent elections with free access for independent observers and journalists.

Fim Cisl joins IndustriALL Global Union and industriAll European Trade Union jointly call on the international community, particularly the European Union, to use all necessary means to stop the anti- democratic and violent acts of the Belorussian Government, and to review the current political and economic relationship with Belarus.

Вместе мы сила!

Roberto Benaglia (General Secretary Fim Cisl)

Barbara Arsieni (Head of International Office)

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