Only one week after the primary case’s sentencing last Tuesday (November 19), over ten unions worldwide, including France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, Spain, and Myanmar voiced solidarity with HK47. International unions including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have expressed their unwavering support.
France’s Force Ouvrière (FO) and Spain’s largest labour union, Comisiones Obreras (CCOO), have urged their respective foreign ministers to press the Hong Kong government to free the 45 pro-democracy activists imprisoned in the primary election case. They have also written to Chinese consulates in their countries to express their strong dissatisfaction over the imprisonment of Carol Ng, former Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions chair, and Winnie Yu, former Hospital Authority Employees Alliance chair.
Belarus’ independent trade union movement has also faced political repression, with unionists unjustly prosecuted, arrested, and imprisoned. Unions have been forced to dissolve under pressure from the authorities. Lizaveta Merliak, Chairman of Salidarnast e.V. – the exile representation of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP) said, ‘Dictatorships and authoritarian regimes fear the power of organized labour the most, so they fight freedom of association to make workers powerless against the forces of the state. The regional challenges like the case of the activists in Hong Kong who wanted nothing but freedom and justice in their country, like the case of the Belarusian workers who wanted nothing but decency and fairness…’ she said.
She further pointed out, ‘As we know from our own experience during our cooperation, dictators learn from each other, they adapt the same successful methods to their national environment and support each other. As in the case of Belarus – it is Russia, in the case of Hong Kong – it is China – the big imperialist states that cannot afford to have a democracy next to them…. We support you in your struggle, which is so similar to our struggle. Let us continue to fight together.’
Solidarity knows no borders. This week, rallies will take place around the UK to support the 47 pro-democracy activists in the primary election case. Hongkongers living overseas who enjoy free expression are encouraged to join and show solidarity. Let our imprisoned comrades know that they are not alone.