REP Trade Union: Today Our Task Is to Unite and Resist the Onslaught of Lawlessness

Our strength lies in unity.

On February 24 a regular meeting of the REP Council Presidium took place. At this meeting, members of the union's governing body adopted an appeal in connection with the recent arrests of activists and the searches. It is addressed to members of the REP trade union, as well as colleagues from the independent trade union movement.

The site praca-by.info provides the full text of the appeal:

Friends, brothers, and sisters!

A wave of repression swept over our union. Many activists of the REP trade union have become victims of judicial lawlessness, and the well-known defender of workers Leanid Sudalenka continues to be held in custody. Now the so-called "representatives of the authorities" have actually destroyed the central office of the trade union and are attacking trade union activists in Minsk and the regions.

Why? Because the REP, its activists persistently defend the rights of workers and employees, all citizens of Belarus, they are fighting for a decent salary, for free labor. They are trying to accuse us of "preparing and financing the riots." It's a lie. This is no and cannot be evidence. The Belarusians know that the main cause of unrest and violence in our country is the power itself.

Read more: IndustriALL strongly condemns attacks on REP

The authorities terrorize trade union activists, journalists, human rights activists, participants in peaceful protests, and dissidents. The goal is clear - to destroy the active persons, drive out those who are not indifferent, paralyze the rest with fear. We understand that repression will grow. But this will not help to retain power for those whom the people of Belarus did not elect, do not recognize, and no longer want to tolerate.

We will not give up. We will do our job - fight for the rights of workers, for the freedom of our associates. We continue to work for our common future, for the people of a free and prosperous Belarus.

In this difficult hour, we, members of the REP trade union, members of the independent trade union movement, must not forget what solidarity means. Today our task is to unite and be together. This is the only way to resist the onslaught of lawlessness.

Trying to sow discord and fear is a tactic of the regime.

For thirty years, REP has been firmly on its feet, withstanding the onslaught of destructive forces, external or internal. We will hold out now too.

Do not be afraid!

Our strength lies in unity.

We will win!

Presidium of the Council of the Belarusian Independent Trade Union REP

24.02.2021 Minsk