REP Activist From Rechytsa: Trade Union Needs Solidarity More Than Ever

Activists have applied to hold a series of pickets on the Constitution Day.

On February 22, activists of the Radio Electronics Industry Workers' Trade Union in Mazyr, Zhlobin, Kalinkavichy, Rechytsa, Dobrush and Homel applied to hold a series of pickets on the Constitution Day on March 15, where they plan to protest against interference in the internal affairs of the independent trade union, against the use of a criminal case to intimidate its members, with a demand to stop the criminal prosecution of the leaders Henadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik, Homel Spring informs.

The actions with the use of banners and slogans reflecting the purpose of the events are planned in the form of pickets. In Homel, the picket was announced by Andrei Stryzhak and Leanid Sudalenka near the office of the regional administration of the Investigatory Committee in Voikau Street in Nova-Belitsa.

"We are protesting against the pressure on our union. The country does not remember criminal cases where hundreds of members of the organization were pulled out for interrogations, forced to sign non-disclosure documents, threatened with sending subpoenas to their place of work. This criminal case is a clear indication that the authorities are afraid of our real work to protect the people of labor," - said Andrei Stryzhak, the deputy chairman of the REP office in Homel.

The applicant of the picket in Rechytsa Alena Linkevich noted that the authorities have started and are continuing a large-scale action to eliminate the independent trade union movement in Belarus.

"Criminal cases have been groundlessly instituted against the leaders of our trade union over the alleged tax evasion in an especially large scale, the trade union office was seized. Now the trade union needs solidarity more than ever," - the activist said.

The charge under Article 243 of the Criminal Code "Tax evasion in an especially large amount" was started against Henadz Fiadynich and Ihar Komlik, who was arrested and spent 2 months in custody. Both leaders are currently under the non-leave obligation. The investigation of the criminal case was extended until May 2. If it comes to trial, they face 3 to 7 years of imprisonment.

The Global Union IndustriALL and the International Trade Union Confederation stand for the support of the trade union leaders. On August 3, 2017, after the arrest of Ihar Komlik, human rights organizations of Belarus recognized him as a political prisoner.