Decree On "Parasites" Is Reason For Sanctions Against Lukashenka

Decree No. 1 violates the International Convention Concerning Forced or Compulsory Labour.

On May 17, the so-called "house of representatives" approved the scandalous Decree No. 1 on "parasites". Since January 1, 2019, families with unemployed members will pay much more for communal services. But this is only one side of the new decree.

What is, in fact, Decree No. 1 and how can it be combated? Leader of the European Belarus civil campaign, presidential candidate at the 2010 elections Andrei Sannikov answers these questions to Charter97.org.

– Is it possible to say that Decree No. 1 introduces forced labor in Belarus?

– Obviously, it is not only possible, it’s necessary to talk about this. Because Belarus is a party to the International Labor Organization’s Convention on the Prohibition of Slavery and Forced Labor – and at the same time, it enacts laws that will force citizens to seek employment not get the work that is paid dignifiedly, but low-wage work, under the compulsion of the authorities.

– A lot of influential institutions are engaged in the struggle against forced labor today. Does such "employment," as stipulated in Decree No. 1, fall under any of the international definitions of slavery?

– Yes, you can find the appropriate definition. There are clear definitions of modern slavery, there are international documents that prohibit such "labor".

Human rights and trade union organizations can play an important role here. They can take preventive measures so that, firstly, the international community knows what is happening in Belarus in connection with Decree No. 1. And secondly, to take effective steps at the international level to abolish it.

Looking from inside Belarus, it is clear that the decree is just a whim of the ruling regime, which is guided not by logic, but which tries to prove its "rightness" by force. There was Decree No. 3, it would have been logical to cancel it considering justified citizens' protests. But no: the tyrants in power chose to continue introducing forced labor and adopted Decree No. 1.

I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that people can be sent without charge or trial to a Medical-Labour Centre, which is in fact a concentration camp and must be banned.

The regime is trying to apply all the possible punitive measures to "better" its hopeless economic situation.

– The decree has another formulation: the commissions’ decisions cannot be appealed in court. How does the principle that the decision of an instance cannot be appealed anywhere combine with the spirit and letter of modern law?

– It was already said that the commissions on "parasites" are similar to the "troikas" that existed in Stalin's times. That is, it is some kind of body that will make verdicts concerning people’s destinies without charge or trial, and consist of adherents of the regime.

Obviously, all this is very dangerous. It is dangerous because an extensive database will be created, which will allow tightening the control even more, so that it will grow into a total one.

Therefore, it is necessary to fight against Decree No. 1. Total control must be resisted – both by protest tactics and legal ones, otherwise Belarus will turn into a completely fascist state under Lukashenka’s leadership.

– You mentioned databases on "parasites". Is there a possibility that they would be used improperly? What would be the consequences of this? There is a threat that these bases will be used for blackmail, for putting people under pressure, for revealing personal information.

– I want to draw your attention to the fact that the "parasite" decrees do not contain provisions on protecting this personal information. You are welcome: create a base, collect damaging material and blackmail people.

Amazing things are happening in the country. To mention but one thing, foreigners living in Belarus fall under the decree. This is some blatant trampling of lawmaking norms, which requires international reaction.

The database will be used improperly also because the decree itself is illegal, the commissions collecting information are illegal. There is no talk here about any legality of actions in the sphere of personal data.

– As against Decree No. 3, now Belarusians working abroad will have to provide detailed information about their place of work and salary. Why would the authorities need this information?

– This is done in order to exert pressure on the families in Belarus, to blackmail people.

I do not rule out the possibility that due to the deportation of Russian diplomats, who are considered spies in connection with Skripal’s case, a convenient format for recruiting citizens, who inadvertently can provide information on employment, wages, relatives and real estate abroad, is being created.

It is quite logical to assume that such data for blackmail and recruitment will also be used by the Russian FSB, which is now losing its agents abroad.

– Does it turn out that the FSB will replace the Russian residency with Belarusians recruited with the help of the Decree No. 1?

– Yes, databases can be used to recruit Belarusians, who can be forced to work for the Russian FSB.

– Decree No. 3 was suspended after mass protests. And what can be set against its "improved modification" – Decree No. 1?

– Indeed, Decree No. 3 was stopped due to popular protests. And they still remain the most effective tactic.

For the record, this time the authorities are trying to introduce everything subtly and gradually – so that there wouldn’t be a sharp reaction. But in fact, more stringent and more dangerous measures are being introduced for Belarusians than those under Decree No. 3.

In addition to protest actions, there must be appeals to international authorities. As the decree violates the already mentioned ILO Convention and the international covenants on political, civil, economic rights.

Human rights defenders, independent trade unions, ordinary citizens – everyone must appeal against the illegal decree now. And, of course, ask our foreign partners to raise the issue at the international level.

Violation of the Convention on Forced Labor is a serious fact, the recognition of which may entail sanctions against Lukashenka's regime. But this issue should be raised by the participants of this Convention, with the exception of Belarus, naturally. That is, by the ILO's governing bodies, our international partners.

And in this regard, independent trade unions have great levers of influence. Moreover, they are now under the pressure of criminal cases. So they have an opportunity to protect themselves and protect the citizens of Belarus.