IndustriALL denounces further escalation of repression against Belarus unions

The latest report details how Zinaida Mikhniuk, political prisoner, activist and former chairperson of IndustriALL affiliate Radio and Electronics Industry Workers Union REP, has been condemned to two years’ imprisonment for "insulting Lukashenka”. The verdict is considered harsh compared to other cases for similar offences.

Zinaida was detained on 25 March after her home and union office were searched. Zinaida was held in a pre-trial detention facility, where she also remained during the trial. At least 20 people, including her husband, tried to attend the hearing, but were all denied access.

The day before Zinaida’s trial, union leader Maxim Poznyakov was detained after accompanying his twin-daughters to kindergarten. Maxim Poznyakov is chair of IndustriALL affiliate Belarusian Independent Trade Union BITU, members of the Belarusian Congress of Independent Trade Unions. Maxim’s arrest is likely connected to him becoming acting BCDTU president after both BCDTU leaders were arrested.

Both cases are part of the more than 20 union leaders arrested on in April. Maxim was the last chair of leading independent trade unions to be arrested. At this moment in time, all leaders of independent unions in Belarus have either been arrested and later released but prohibited to leave the country or disclose any information about their case, or considered offenders and remain in prison, like the president of the Belarusian Congress of Independent Trade Unions Alexander Yarashuk, and its vice-present Sergey Antusevich.

There are also reports that teachers and student members of the Free Trade Union of Belarus SPB, affiliated to BCDTU, are subject to mounting pressure from authorities to leave the "criminal" independent union and instead join the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, partly controlled by Lukashenko.