Lukashenko's delegation suffers defeat in Geneva negotiations

In the midst of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Conference currently underway in Geneva, the Committee on the Application of Standards has issued a scathing report on Belarus.

During a special meeting on June 7, discussions centered around measures proposed by the Administrative Council under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, aimed at the Belarusian government for violation of the right to freedom of association and refusal to implement the Commission of Inquiry's recommendations. This news has been reported by "Solidarnasc".

The Committee's analysis took into account the information provided by the Belarusian government, but once again, noted the Lukashenka regime's blatant disregard for the Commission of Inquiry's findings and their refusal to accept and implement them.

The Committee voiced deep concern and dismay over the use of criminal sanctions against trade unionists participating in legal trade union activities, and the prosecution of trade union members, including arrests and imprisonment.

They condemned the suppression of independent trade unions and the imprisonment of trade unionists, and also highlighted the plan of action for implementing the measures of Article 33 of the ILO Constitution.

It's important to recall that, in 2023, after the Belarusian authorities disregarded the ILO's recommendations to stop repression and violations of workers' rights, the organization applied Article 33 for only the second time in its over 100-year history.

Paragraph 33 provides for the possibility of applying sanctions for gross and systematic non-compliance with the recommendations of the ILO Commission of Inquiry.

During the meeting, the Committee expressed regret over the prevalence of state violence, intimidation, and fear in Belarus, the absence of the right to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, and the erosion of the rule of law, epitomized by the complete lack of independence of the judicial system.

Ongoing government interference in trade union activities was also noted. The Committee raised serious doubts about the independence of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus and called on the government to work with the ILO to address these issues and ensure the activities of independent trade unions, amongst others.

In light of this, an urgent appeal was once again issued to immediately release imprisoned trade unionists and overturn any guilty verdicts against them related to their legitimate trade union activities.

The Committee also reiterated its request to the Belarusian government to promptly accept:

An international humanitarian mission to grant access to independent doctors to visit all jailed trade unionists and provide necessary medical assistance.
A tripartite ILO mission to evaluate the situation and visit trade unionists currently in prison or under arrest.

The Committee's conclusions were adopted by a landslide majority of votes: 2544 in favor, 72 against, and 112 abstentions.

Maxim Pozniakov, Acting Chairman of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), stated that the decision-making process in the Committee normally follows the principle of consensus, meaning all parties agree with the conclusions and a particular document is adopted. However, the delegation from Belarus, supported by Russia and China, demanded a vote, claiming there was a serious division of opinions.

In essence, according to the regime, the three-decade history of labor rights violations, suppression of independent trade unions, repression, arrests, criminal trials, and imprisonment of trade union leaders in Belarus should simply be disregarded or ignored, disregarding all international norms and ILO conventions.

However, this will not go ignored, as the international community has once again confirmed!

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Enrichment Data:

Overall:Recent discussions at the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Conference in Geneva have highlighted ongoing and severe violations of workers' rights and freedom of association in Belarus. The main international responses and sanctions are outlined below:

Sanctions and International Responses

EU Sanctions
The European Union has implemented multiple rounds of sanctions on Belarus, including asset freezes, travel bans, and trade restrictions on individuals and entities responsible for repressive actions[2][4]. These measures aim to limit access to financial and trade markets.
Recent updates have expanded export restrictions on goods and technology that could enhance Belarus’s military and industrial capacities, as well as tightened controls over dual-use items and commodities that could indirectly support Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine[4].
Targeted Measures
The EU has applied targeted asset freezes and travel bans on individuals involved in serious human rights abuses and the repression of civil society and trade unions[4].
Restrictions have also been placed on the import of Belarusian products, such as primary aluminum, to reduce revenue streams that could support the regime’s activities[4].

International Efforts at the ILO

ILO Commission of Inquiry and Article 33 Resolution
The ILO has invoked Article 33 of its Constitution—the highest level of supervision—to pressure Belarus to comply with recommendations from an ILO Commission of Inquiry, following the complete dismantling of independent trade unions and the imprisonment of their leaders and members[5][2].
The ILO calls for the restoration of fundamental workers' rights, including the immediate release of imprisoned trade unionists and the re-establishment of independent trade unions[1][5].
Tripartite Mission Demands
The EU and other international actors are urging Belarus to allow an ILO tripartite mission to assess the implementation of previous recommendations, with particular emphasis on access to detained union leaders and activists[2].
There is a repeated call for Belarus to abandon its policy of destroying independent trade unions and to enable social dialogue institutions to function legitimately[2].

Summary Table: Key Measures

| Measure/Effort | Description ||---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| EU Sanctions | Asset freezes, travel bans, and trade restrictions on individuals and entities[2][4]. || Export/Import Restrictions | Ban on dual-use items, technology, and Belarusian commodities (e.g., primary aluminum)[4]. || ILO Article 33 Resolution | Highest level of ILO supervision; calls for release of prisoners and union restoration[5]. || Demand for Tripartite Mission | Urging Belarus to allow ILO access to investigate violations and meet with detainees[2]. |

The Committee on the Application of Standards, during the ongoing International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, has condemned the Belarusian government's violation of the right to freedom of association and refusal to implement Commission of Inquiry's recommendations.
The Committee has also expressed deep concern over the use of criminal sanctions against trade unionists participating in legal trade union activities, and the prosecution of trade union members, including arrests and imprisonment, in the context of war-and-conflicts and general-news.
In light of the ongoing situation, migrations from Belarus may increase due to the deteriorating political situation and crime-and-justice issues.
In the wake of this condemnation, politics surrounding Belarus have shifted, with the international community imposing sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for repressive actions.
Simultaneously, discussions around policy-and-legislation have arisen on the global stage, as the ILO and other international actors urgently call for Belarus to allow access for an ILO tripartite mission to assess the situation and visit trade unionists currently in prison or under arrest.