Artsiom Chernikau On ILO Resolution: Ice Has Broken
- 13.06.2023, 14:44
The regime must answer for every worker who is in prison.
Labor activist Artsiom Chernikau commented on the decision of the International Labor Organization to apply Article 33 of the ILO Charter to Belarus for Charter97.org.
— This is a significant event. It took nearly three years of pressure on the ILO to achieve it.
For the last two years, I have been actively cooperating with trade unions from different countries so that they support the letter to the ILO and post information about repressions in Belarus on their websites. My goal was to work to generate broad international support and raise awareness of what is happening in Belarus.
These three difficult years were necessary for the decision to become a reality. Each letter of replies “about deep concern” was infuriating and it seemed that the workers of Belarus were simply forgotten and left to be torn to pieces by the Lukashists.
Perhaps the ILO has become aware of the importance and urgency of the situation, also due to the fact that I constantly mentioned that you cannot fight Putin while protecting Lukashenka. It is important to note here that this victory is the result of the stubborn struggle of all independent and free people of Belarus, who, like me, tirelessly demanded the release of political prisoners and international pressure on human rights violators in the simple language of harsh sanctions.
Now that Article 33 of the ILO Constitution will apply to the Lukashenka regime, I look forward to more action and punishment for violations of labor rights and freedoms in Belarus. For the regime to answer for everyone it tortures in prisons. It should also be a signal to the dictatorship that it will soon end.
Although the path to this small victory has been long and difficult, this is just the beginning. The struggle to establish justice and protect human rights in Belarus must continue. The ice has broken, and this is a good sign for all who believe in the principles of democracy and human rights. This inspires and gives hope for the speedy release of our brothers from prison.
Long Live Belarus!