Human rights watchdog draws people out of involuntary agricultural works


After a massive public outcry and human rights defenders’ appeal to the prosecutor local authorities in the Belarusian town of Hlusk canceled their order to gather state-paid employees for compulsory agricultural works.

The appropriate written instruction dated by June 8 was handed over human rights center Viasna (Spring): heads of organizations were ordered to appoint their employees for haymaking. Every person was expected to make the norm of 300 kg.

Adkaz

Human rights activists considered such order as illegal and sent an appeal to Hlusk district prosecutor’s office. Prosecutor Leanid Palevitch redirected the appeal to Mahiliou Regional Executive Committee. On June 30, human rights activists received a response which confirmed the illegality of forced haymaking.

As a result, Uladzimir Tsarykau, Chairman of Hlusk district executive committee, canceled the order.

In the recent Trafficking in Persons Report, the U.S. Department of State says that lthough the Belarusian authorities continued to be a leader in multilateral efforts to combat trafficking and tried to protect victims, the country’sgovernment is still engaged in practices that condone forced labor, including compelling state employees to help in agricultural works.

belsat.eu, following ПЦ «Вясна»

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