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Global federations and unions are supporting independent unions in Belarus and calling for an end to violence, writes TONY BURKE
A woman waves an old Belarusian national flag standing on the roof as Belarusian opposition supporters march to Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus

EUROPEAN and global trade unions are at the forefront supporting independent trade unions in Belarus. 

They are calling for an end to violence and attacks on unions, political opposition and journalists by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his government.

Opposition leaders, journalists and independent trade unionists have been jailed, among them the former president of the Independent Trade Union of Belarus (BNP) Mikalaj Zimin, together with at least three other union activists. 

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