We Must Hit Dictator Straight In His Crown

There must be no more good news for the collective farm regime.

On June 18, the leader of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BCDT) published a highly controversial post on his Facebook page that angered many workers who are members of the independent trade union. Here is a specific quote: "The good news for the regime is that it has avoided paragraph 33 of the ILO".

All this means is that the head of the BCDT is obstructing the sanctions and is doing so in somebody's behalf. There was no vote of the workers whether or not they supported the sanctions from the ILO. The decision was made jointly with the international trade union movement.

At a time when all Belarusians are hoping for the toughest sanctions, for the sake of the fastest recovery of our beloved country, the so-called leaders are trying to keep a foot in both worlds.

The phrase "tread a fine line" should have long been forgotten. In order to banish the collective farm junta, the maximum concentration of forces is required, both in the Belarusian diasporas (which in many respects were the ones who sought these sanctions), and in all independent organizations.

In response to tortures and repressions, to trials of innocent people, no "good news" can be given to the usurper and his henchmen. No matter how much you try to cover the muzzle of a machine gun with flowers, it will shoot out anyway.

You have to hit the dictator in his bald crown. I believe in our strong people. The workers' opinion - let there be sanctions.

Artsiom Chernikau, labor activist, specially for "Basta!"