**ILO Governing Body, 353rd session**
**10 – 20 March 2025**
**Follow-up to the resolution concerning the measures recommended by the Governing Body under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on the subject of Belarus**
**GB.353/INS/7**
**EU statement**
Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
1. The EU and its Member States once again deeply regret the persistent failure of Belarus to observe its obligations under ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98. We call on Belarus to take all the necessary measures to meet the obligations it committed itself to by being a member of the ILO and by voluntarily and willingly ratifying most of the ILO fundamental Conventions. We also urge Belarus to engage in appointing an ILO Special Envoy.
2. Since the adoption of Article 33 Resolution in 2023 the authorities of Belarus have persistently disregarded the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, which has been reflected in the latest findings of the Committee of Experts. We urge the authorities of Belarus to take concrete measures to give full effect to all the Committee’s requests, including to amend without further delay decree no 3 on receiving and using foreign gratuitous aid, the Law on Mass Activities, the Criminal Code and the Labour Code.
3. We remain deeply concerned about the continuously worsening human rights situation in Belarus and strongly condemn the continuing persecution and intimidation campaigns against independent trade unionists, civil society organisations, democratic opposition forces, and all other independent segments of Belarusian society. We deplore the arbitrary arrest and detention of trade union leaders and members, and new forms of repression against them, such as children being removed from their families. We are concerned that the Belarusian authorities have not fulfilled their international obligations with regard to the conduct of free and fair elections.
4. Given the gravity of the situation, the EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions, the latest on 24 February 2025, in the face of the unprecedented level of human and labour rights violations.
5. We deplore the climate of state violence, intimidation and fear in Belarus and the erosion of the rule of law exemplified by the complete lack of impartiality and independence of the judiciary system. We note with concern the observations of a group of independent human rights experts of 22 January 2025 about the growing practice in Belarus of conducting trials in absentia and without basic trial guarantees leading to lengthy prison sentences, deprivation of property and housing or even the death penalty. We reiterate the recommendation No. 8 of the Commission of Inquiry in that regard.
6. We deplore that political prisoners remain incarcerated in appalling conditions and express grave concern over numerous reports of deaths in detention. We have taken note of the recent releases of political prisoners and demand the immediate and unconditional release and effective rehabilitation of all political prisoners, as well as the introduction of a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to its abolition.
7. We remain concerned about the conditions of imprisonment of trade union leaders and activists, particularly those in serious need of medical attention. We once again request the authorities, with the utmost urgency, to accept an international humanitarian mission and an ILO tripartite mission to visit trade unionists in prison or detention.
8. Considering the repeated grave allegations concerning the nomination of the Workers’ delegation of Belarus to the ILC, we urge the authorities of Belarus to nominate non-Government delegates and advisers to the ILC in agreement with the most representative, genuine and independent workers’ and employers’ organizations.
9. We reaffirm our strong support to the application of Article 33 of the ILO Constitution. We will continue to take measures in line with the ILC 2023 resolution in order to secure compliance by the authorities of Belarus with the Commission of Inquiry's recommendations.We encourage the ILO to strengthen its cooperation with relevant UN bodies in this regard.
In light of the above we support the draft decision.
Thank you, Chair.