On 18 July, 2022, the Supreme Court decided to liquidate and dissolve the Belarusian Independent Trade Union (BITU or BNP) and its affiliates, namely Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), Free Trade Union of Metalworkers (SPM), Free Trade Union of Belarus (SPB), and Union of Radio and Electronics Workers (REP). The repression of independent trade unions in Belarus is deemed to be politically motivated and to constitute an assault on democracy and its institutions. The arrest of trade union leaders for exercising their legitimate right to freedom of association is defined as a grave violation of their fundamental human rights.