Belarus Labor Activist Granted U.S. Asylum After Dismissal and Detention
Belaruskali, a major Belarusian potash company, has dismissed Anatol Bokun, a prominent labor activist, for violating labor discipline. Bokun, who views this as persecution for his dissent, has since sought political asylum in the U.S. and was recently granted it by a U.S. court.
Bokun, a former mechanic at Belaruskali's First Mining Division, co-chaired the company's strike committee. After being dismissed, he negotiated with Yara, a Norwegian fertilizer company, to terminate its contract with Belaruskali over the repression of striking workers. Bokun's case gained international attention, with his placement in an immigration detention facility in late September sparking concern.
Bokun's journey to asylum was not swift. He spent 100 days in detention centers in Soligorsk and Staryya Darohi in 2020-2021 for his role in the strike. After emigrating to the U.S., he applied for political asylum. The average waiting time for such applications from Belarusians in the U.S. can take several months, with processing times varying due to case complexity and administrative backlogs.
The U.S. court's decision to grant Bokun asylum recognizes his persecution for his labor activism. His case sheds light on the challenges faced by Belarusian activists seeking refuge and the international support they may receive.
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