human rights defender
Aliaksandr Yarashuk
Actions and Campaigns
Organization affiliation
- The Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions
HRD's year of birth
1951
HRD's Gender
Man
Type of HRD
- Trade union leader
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Labour rights
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
Current Status
Pardoned
HRD's bio and work
Aliaksandr Yarashuk is the president of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (an association of several independent trade unions), the vice-president of the International Trade Union Confederation and a member of the ILO Governing Body.
He was accused of demanding to adopt sanctions against the Belarusian government, althgough Yarashuk openly opposed the introduction of such sanctions. However, law enforcers claim to have found information to this effect on his computer during the search.
Aliaksandr has three sons, one of whom lives in the USA.
Detained since
Apr 19, 2022
Date of release
Sep 11, 2025
Charge(s)
- Creating disturbances
Sentence
4 years
Latitude: 53.881
Longitude: 30.451
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Europe: Eastern Europe
Location of detention - City/Town
Mahilioŭ
Location of detention - Facility
Prison No. 4. 212011, Mahilioŭ, vulica Krupskaj 99A
Recent case update / evolution
On September 11, 2025, it was revealed that the Belarusian regime had forcibly transferred 52 political prisoners to Lithuania. Among those released was Aliaksandr Yarashuk.
Any other relevant documents
Application of International Labour Standards 2024, Report III (Part A), Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations International Labour Conference, 112th Session, 2024 https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_norm/@relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_911183.pdf
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