ACT NOW! Demand freedom for Kosovan trade unionist detained in Serbia

Solidarity with Kosovan workers

Protest at trade union arrest

6 April 2012

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has protested to the Serbian Ambassador about the arrest of Kosovan trade union leader Hasan Abazi, who was seized on 28 March in retaliation for Kosovan arrests of Serbian citizens. He was on his way to an international trade union meeting in Croatia. Now an international campaign has been launched by the International Metalworkers Federation, to which Hasan's union SPMK is affiliated. You can make your own protest through LabourStart's e-action.

Brendan Barber's letter follows:

Dr Dejan Popovic
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia
28 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8QB

Dear Ambassador

Arrest and detention of Hasan Abazi

On behalf of the 6 million workers in Britain affiliated with the Trades Union Congress, I would be grateful if you could convey to your Government our concern about the arrest and detention of 65-year old Kosovan trade union leader Hasan Abazi who was seized on 28 March while travelling to an international trade union meeting in Croatia. I join trade unions and human rights advocates around the world in calling for Mr Abazi's immediate and unconditional release, and the dropping of all charges.

Mr Hasan Abazi, President of the SPMK Industrial Union was travelling from Kosovo to Zagreb for a meeting of the South East European member organisations of the future European Industrial Workers Federation. I understand that Mr Abazi was held in solitary confinement, without access to a lawyer, before being confined for a further 30 days, all in retaliation for the actions of the Kosovan authorities in arresting Serbian citizens.

Your Government's behaviour is unacceptable and is not the kind of democracy expected on the part of a country applying for membership of the European Union. We will be raising this matter with the European Trade Union Confederation, Members of the European Parliament, and the European Commission's Vice President, Baroness Ashton.

I would be grateful to know the response of your Government.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary