Belarus: Stop the violence - defend democracy

Presidential elections were held in Belarus on August 9. They were once again blatantly falsified in favour of the long-serving ruler Lukashenko. This caused a storm of popular protest.

The security forces responded with an unprecedented terror: mass arrests, beatings and torture of protesters.

A wave of spontaneous work stoppages swept across the country. Workers started to form strike committees to prepare for a nationwide general strike in support of democratic change. The strikers demands include: recognise the results of the presidential elections as invalid, release all political prisoners and demonstrators, prevent the persecution of the strike participants and cancel the system of short term contracts.

The administration and security services are putting tremendous pressure on the strikers, members of the strike committee and their families. Many are threatened with dismissal. Activists are being detained by security services.

We must help stop the wave of violence.

Please support the online campaign supported by independent trade unions in Belarus and global unions, here:

https://www.labourstart.org/go/stoptheviolence

And please - share this message with your friends, family and fellow union members.

Thank you!

Eric Lee