SOLIDARITY WITH BELARUS: A STATEMENT
Updated: Jan 15
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.
John McDonnell MP
Nadia Whittome MP
Caroline Lucas MP
Owen Thompson MP
Kenny Macaskill MP
Virendra Sharma MP
Apsana Begum MP
Clive Lewis MP
Kate Osamor MP
Sam Tarry MP
Mick Antoniw AM, Member of Welsh Parliament
Paul Mason, journalist
Richard Corbett, Shipley, former leader of Labour MEPs
Michael Chessum, Another Europe is Possible
Ana Oppenheim, Momentum NCG
Peter Tatchell, human rights activist
Laura Parker, former Momentum national coordinator
Zoe Williams, London, journalist
Pasco-Q Kevlin, Labour Party
Anthony Ingle, Musician
Peter Buckley, Oldham West and Royton Labour CLP
Robbie Stamp
Joseph Healy, Anti Capitalist Resistance
Anthony Cable
Sarah Windrum
Scarlett McGuire, London, Journalist
Shaista Aziz, Oxford Labour Councillor, Stop Trump coalition
Simon Bean
Joseph Ingleby
Eleanor Gibson
Philippa Rathborne
Bill Starling
Roy Seaman
Deborah Jay-Lewin
Lorraine Shaw, Member of the Labour Party
Ken Barker, Unite (Cardiff General Branch)
Daniel Randall, Assistant Chair, RMT Bakerloo branch (pc)
Howard Harris
Ian Fairbairn
Julian Evans, Bristol, MCIJ
Sandro Montagner, London
David Taffs, Dartford
Mike McNulty, Edinburgh, SNP Member
Gemma Driver, West Sussex, Development Consultant
Viv Seears, Maentwrog
Diana Morgan, Leatherhead Surrey England
Huw Morgan, London
Nigel Hawker, Yorkshire
Brian Fowler, Lancashire
Tim Guy, Milton Keynes
Miles Newman, Lancaster
Morgan Gordon, London
Darius Samadian, Harrogate
Thomas Grayson-Smith, London
Caroline Hering, London
Nick Maiden, Chester
Ian Callister, Ashford
Juliana Grundy, Wigan, UNISON and Labour Party
C.fraser, Hertfordshire, Anti Facist
Stephanie Bowgett, Huddersfield
Kevin Edwards, Brighton
David Cooper, Crawley
Stephen Harvey, Southampton
Lyndsay Wheble, Bristol
Sonia Rawlinson, Burnley
Bridget Carrington, Dereham, Norfolk, Labour Party member
Di Murray , Barnstaple
Katie Blood, Tamworth
Richard Duployen, Abingdon-on-Thames, European Movement, Oxford Region Branch
John Camp, London
Timothy Mullen, Stoke-on-Trent
Jennie Cook, Southbourne
John Collins, London
Edna Mullen , Stoke-on-Trent
Shelley Jackson , Towcester
Irena Paxton, Cardiff
Keith Reader, London
Simon Evans, London, Labour Party
Jenifer Wates, Woodstock
Ruth Appleton, London, Labour Party Delegate from Camden Unison
Dr Christopher Wilkinson, Rhymney
Martin Huebscher, Tunbridge Wells
Alison Rees, W Sussex
Achsa Griffiths, Sandwich
Susan Mosedale, Glasgow
Philip Hylton , Warrington
David Sylph, York, Human rights activist
Joan Green, Cambridge
Richard Pierson, Yorkshire
Anthony lilly, Battle, Engineer
Stan Smith, Nottingham, Labour Party member
John Warburton, Mold
Michal Guest Rob Payne, Southport
Keith Leech, Rotherham
Hannah Cole, Oxford
Daniel Nichols, Romford, Political Officer, Romford Labour Party
Oliver Senton, Kent
Roger Coates, Silesia, Retired
Lyn Parry, Barcelona, Ex social worker
Anne Davidson, Surrey
and 1124 other named individuals.