European Trade Union Committee for Education

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Following the announcement of the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko by the Belarusian Central Election Commission with 80% of the vote, protest actions have erupted throughout the country since Sunday 9 August 2020.

While most governments and the EU Summit meeting on Wednesday, 19 August 2020 do not accept the national elections in Belarus, contesting them as fraud and not fair, ETUCE strongly denounces the violence used by the Belarussian authorities towards the peaceful protesters across the country, including arrests and detention of citizens. “We condemn the suppression of internet and media, detentions and intimidation of journalists in order to stop the flow of information about the situation in the country, and the prevention of public discussion and any collective response to the electoral fraud. We deplore the attacks on workers and their human right to suspend their work in protest”, stated ETUCE.

Whilst calling on the Belarussian authorities to stop any violence, release all arrested and imprisoned protesters, and proceed against all the officials responsible for all forms of repression against peaceful demonstrators, ETUCE called on a launch of a new electoral process, under the supervision of the Election Committee that can be trusted by all the parties, including international observers.

“In these turbulent times and at the beginning of the new academic and school year, ETUCE expresses its firm solidarity with the teachers, school leaders and other education personnel as well as the students for a peaceful solution. We wish the workers and people of Belarus strength and courage in their demands for change and a democratic society”, said Susan Flocken, ETUCE European Director.

To read full statement, please click here