The report "Forced Labour and the Pervasive Violation of Workers’ Rights in Belarus" was timed to the Human Rights Day held worldwide annually on December 10.
Belarusan authorities use every means possible to feed the country’s economy to the detriment of its citizens’ economic and social rights. Internationally publicized as the «last European socialist paradise», Belarus forces large portions of its population to work, sometimes without pay and especially without the possibility to protest harsh or unfair conditions. These are the main observations of a report published by FIDH and HRC Viasna.
Economic and working issues are quite sensitive in Belarus, especially in the current climate. Nearly every day, reports of students working on the construction of sports facilities dedicated to the international hockey championship, of conscripts going to harvests, of local authorities imposing unpaid work on the working population (a system called subbotnik) are related by the media.
The 80-page joint FIDH – HRC “Viasna” report, presented in Minsk on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, deals with the daily violations of workers’ rights in Belarus. Prepared following an international investigative mission in several regions of Belarus in June 2013, it highlights the wide use of forced labour and severe economic and social conditions which many citizens are confronted to.
On 29 November 2013, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights raised in its concluding observations the issue of forced labour and the violations of workers’ rights, after FIDH and HRC «Viasna» presented their joint report to the Committee. In particular, the Committee called on Belarus to review the current system of short-term contracts, abolish compulsory labour for alcoholics, drug addicts and «anti-social elements», ensure freedom of activity for trade unions and take some positive steps to ensure a real and effective social protection of the rights of the Belarusian population.
He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
The Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF issued a statement in connection with the wave of searches in the editorial offices of the Belarusan media and the detention of journalists.
On September 11, the inaugural „Vilnius Consultations“ conference was organized by Vilnius Institute for Policy Analysis and Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Not only does the "Union State" undermine the establishment of civilized relations with Europe, but it hinders the possibility of normal relations between Belarus and Russia.
Belarusan National Platform of the EaP CSF welcomes the dialogue process in the format of the EU-Belarus Coordination Group, the third round of which was held in Minsk on 3-4 April 2017.
The EaP CSF Steering Committee issued a statement on repressions against civil society activists and journalists in Belarus, in view of the demonstrations planned on 25 March 2017.
Belarusan President Lukashenko said on Tuesday a “fifth column” was plotting to overthrow him with the help of foreign-backed fighters, days before a planned street protest in Minsk against a new tax.
The Belarusian regime is not able to pursue a truly multi-vector policy, and the EU cannot decide what it needs in the region on the whole and from Belarus in particular.
He said Belarus would likely face economic tightening not only as a result of the coronavirus pandemic but also a Russian trade oil crisis that worsened this past winter.
In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.