JOINT STATEMENT by the International Miners' Coordination and the trade unions and organisations represented therein. International Protest Against The Violation Of Labour, Trade Union And Human Rights
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- Published: Wednesday, 30 November -0001 01:00
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The trade unions, workers' organisations and other organisations of the world, exercising their right to international solidarity and defence of human, labour and trade union rights, issue this joint international statement: they denounce the serious incidents that have occurred against the manganese miners in the Chiatura region (Georgia) and against those who express their solidarity with their legitimate struggle. (The translations are internet translations and will be corrected by translators in the next few days.)
I. On the right to strike and social protest
The right to strike is a fundamental human right recognised in Conventions Nos. 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in the universal principles of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Peaceful social protest is a legitimate exercise of civil and democratic rights.
The protracted strike by manganese miners, which began in November 2024, is a response to repeated broken promises by companies and the state, including the resumption of work announced for 1 March 2025. The lack of genuine solutions has left workers and their families in a situation of extreme social and economic hardship.
II. Criminalisation, arbitrary arrests and violation of the right to due process
We condemn the criminalisation of the protest, the police repression and the systematic smear campaign against the striking miners and their families. Particularly serious is the fact that four miners were arbitrarily arrested in the early hours of April 2025 and remain in custody to this day, with court proceedings repeatedly postponed, in violation of the right to due process, the presumption of innocence and fundamental legal guarantees.
These measures constitute a direct violation of human rights and are incompatible with international standards in the areas of labour and democracy.
III. Restrictions on international solidarity and events
We express our deep concern about the refusal of entry to Tobias Thylmann, a member of a solidarity delegation from Germany, which constitutes a restriction and obstacle to the exercise of international solidarity, affecting the right to freedom of movement, freedom of expression and democratic participation of those who wish to accompany and raise awareness of the situation of miners in Georgia.
Restricting or preventing international solidarity constitutes a serious violation of democratic principles and reflects a worrying tendency to isolate workers' struggles through administrative, political or police mechanisms, which is unacceptable in states that are committed to the rule of law.
Solidarity between peoples and international observation are not crimes, but legitimate international law recognised by the world.
IV. Urgent demands
In view of the seriousness and persistence of the incidents denounced, the undersigned organisations demand:
1. The immediate and unconditional release of the four miners unjustly detained in Georgia.
2. The immediate cessation of all forms of repression, criminalisation and persecution of the striking workers and their supporters.
3. Full respect for the right to strike, freedom of association and the right to social protest.
4. The guarantee of civil liberties, democratic rights and fair trial.
5. Respect for international solidarity, both in Georgia and in every other country.
6. The adoption of an immediate, fair and internationally lawful solution that guarantees decent employment, job security and adequate living conditions for the workers and their families.
V. Warning and international appeal
Too long has there been no response. The prolongation of the conflict, the repression and the unjustified detention exacerbate the responsibility of the states and companies involved and enable international bodies to intervene to protect human and labour rights.
We reaffirm:
Striking is a right, not a crime.
International solidarity cannot be suppressed.
The struggle of workers knows no borders.
We announce that this statement will be brought to the attention of international organisations, trade union centres, human rights representatives and the global public.
The signatories, united in solidarity.
Freedom for the imprisoned miners!
Respect for labour and human rights!
The responsible signatories are...
* The International Miners' Coordination Group (ICG) of the International Miners' Coordination
* Andreas Tadysiak, main coordinator of the International Miners' Coordination
* Rolando Rojas Roque, preparatory group for the establishment of the continental coordination of Latin American miners
* Jovino Nunez, Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of the Dominican Republic
* Monika Gärtner-Engel, Co-President of the United Front (International Anti-Imperialist United Front Against Fascism, War and Environmental Destruction)
* Eugene Badibanga , Preparatory Group for the Establishment of the African Miners' Continental Coordination, Congolese Trade Union: ‘FOSYCO’ (Force Syndicale Congolaise FOSYCO)
* Fathi Mohamad, Preparatory Group for the Establishment of the African Continental Coordination and National Union for Energy and Mining Morocco
* Dmitri Michailowitsch, Member of the Central Committee of the All-Ukrainian Independent Trade Union ‘Occupational Safety’ (Novovylinsk)
* Trade union of mining engineers, canal builders, drillers, machine operators and weighing personnel, Chiatura, Georgia
* Tobias Thylmann, member of the German solidarity delegation for the arrested Chiaturas miners
*Kumpel für AUF‘, Germany
23 December 2025