SOLIDARITY WITH BELARUS: A STATEMENT

29 October 2020

A statement in solidarity with the uprising in Belarus, signed by MPs, activists, trade unionists and others.

As activists, writers, trade unionists and politicians on the left in the UK, we are writing to extend our solidarity with the people of Belarus in their struggle for democracy. Since the rigged elections on 8th August, millions of Belarusians have defied the regime of Alexander Lukashenko.  

The strikes and mass protests taking place across Belarus are not just an important means of defying Lukashenko. They are an inspiration to workers and progressives across Europe and the world. 

Our solidarity extends to all those who are struggling for democracy, the rights of minorities, and for the right to freely dissent and organise in Belarus. We note also the special role of organised workers in the uprising, and we send our solidarity to them in the face of persecution and strike-breaking by the regime. 

We utterly reject the idea that democratisation, or a more open society, need be a move towards neo liberal economic reforms. Only by organising together as a mass movement can ordinary people guarantee and extend democracy in society and the economy. 

We will organise in solidarity with the people of Belarus. We call on the left, progressives and the trade union movement in the UK and across the world to do likewise, and to oppose the introduction of repressive forces from outside Belarus.

1. John McDonnell MP

2. Nadia Whittome MP

3. Caroline Lucas MP

4. Owen Thompson MP

5. Kenny Macaskill MP

6. Virendra Sharma MP

7. Apsana Begum MP

8. Clive Lewis MP

9. Kate Osamor MP

10. Sam Tarry MP

11. Mick Antoniw AM, Member of Welsh Parliament

12. Paul Mason, journalist

13. Richard Corbett, Shipley, former leader of Labour MEPs

14. Michael Chessum, Another Europe is Possible

15. Ana Oppenheim, Momentum NCG 

16. Peter Tatchell, human rights activist

17. Laura Parker, former Momentum national coordinator

18. Zoe Williams, London, journalist

19. Pasco-Q Kevlin, Labour Party

20. Anthony Ingle, Musician

21. Peter Buckley, Oldham West and Royton Labour CLP

22. Robbie Stamp

23. Joseph Healy, Anti Capitalist Resistance

24. Anthony Cable 

25. Sarah Windrum 

26. Scarlett McGuire, London, Journalist

27. Shaista Aziz, Oxford Labour Councillor, Stop Trump coalition

28. Simon Bean

29. Joseph Ingleby

30. Eleanor Gibson 

31. Philippa Rathborne

32. Bill Starling

33. Roy Seaman 

34. Deborah Jay-Lewin

35. Lorraine Shaw, Member of the Labour Party 

36. Ken Barker, Unite (Cardiff General Branch)

37. Daniel Randall, Assistant Chair, RMT Bakerloo branch (pc)

38. Howard Harris

39. Ian Fairbairn 

40. Julian Evans, Bristol, MCIJ

41. Sandro Montagner, London

42. David Taffs, Dartford

43. Mike McNulty, Edinburgh, SNP Member

44. Gemma Driver, West Sussex, Development Consultant

45. Viv Seears, Maentwrog

46. Diana Morgan, Leatherhead Surrey England

47. Huw Morgan, London

48. Nigel Hawker, Yorkshire

49. Brian Fowler, Lancashire

50. Tim Guy, Milton Keynes

51. Miles Newman, Lancaster

52. Morgan Gordon, London

53. Darius Samadian, Harrogate  

54. Thomas Grayson-Smith, London 

55. Caroline Hering, London

56. Nick Maiden, Chester

57. Ian Callister, Ashford 

58. Juliana Grundy, Wigan, UNISON and Labour Party 

59. C.fraser, Hertfordshire, Anti Facist

60. Stephanie Bowgett, Huddersfield

61. Kevin Edwards, Brighton

62. David Cooper, Crawley

63. Stephen Harvey, Southampton 

64. Lyndsay Wheble, Bristol 

65. Sonia Rawlinson, Burnley

66. Bridget Carrington, Dereham, Norfolk, Labour Party member

67. Di Murray , Barnstaple 

68. Katie Blood, Tamworth 

69. Richard Duployen, Abingdon-on-Thames, European Movement, Oxford Region Branch

70. John Camp, London

71. Timothy Mullen, Stoke-on-Trent

72. Jennie Cook, Southbourne

73. John Collins, London

74. Edna Mullen , Stoke-on-Trent

75. Shelley Jackson , Towcester 

76. Irena Paxton, Cardiff

77. Keith Reader, London 

78. Simon Evans, London, Labour Party

79. Jenifer Wates, Woodstock

80. Ruth Appleton, London, Labour Party Delegate from Camden Unison

81. Dr Christopher Wilkinson, Rhymney

82. Martin Huebscher, Tunbridge Wells 

83. Alison Rees, W Sussex

84. Achsa Griffiths, Sandwich 

85. Susan Mosedale, Glasgow 

86. Philip Hylton , Warrington 

87. David Sylph, York, Human rights activist

88. Joan Green, Cambridge

89. Richard Pierson, Yorkshire  

90. Anthony lilly, Battle, Engineer

91. Stan Smith, Nottingham, Labour Party member

92. John Warburton, Mold

93. Michal Guest Rob Payne, Southport 

94. Keith Leech, Rotherham 

95. Hannah Cole, Oxford 

96. Daniel Nichols, Romford, Political Officer, Romford Labour Party

97. Oliver Senton, Kent

98. Roger Coates, Silesia, Retired

99. Lyn Parry, Barcelona, Ex social worker

100. Anne Davidson, Surrey

and 1124 other named individuals.