About us

The Community of Railway Workers of Belarus (CRWB) was established in 2020 in response to widespread protests against electoral fraud in Belarus. By bringing together railway workers from across the country, CRWB serves as a platform for collaboration, coordination of efforts, and protection of workers' rights within the industry. In its initial phase, the organization focused on organizing strikes, protests, and providing support to colleagues facing repression.

Currently, the Community of Railway Workers of Belarus operates as an independent non-profit organization. We unite professionals and activists, cover significant developments in the railway sector, and advocate for enhanced transparency and accountability in the operations of Belarusian Railways. We place particular emphasis on identifying and exposing corruption at all levels, monitoring military transportation, and analyzing its implications for security and stability in the region.

We deliver reliable information, identify challenges, and foster a network of like-minded individuals, promoting the values of freedom, responsibility, and civic solidarity.

Mission and Purpose of CRWB

Our mission is to consolidate and cultivate a conscious civil society by delivering reliable and comprehensive information. We aim to foster a sense of involvement and engagement among citizens in the collective endeavor of establishing a democratic Belarus.

We promote transparency and independent oversight of Belarusian Railways and the broader transport sector, thereby contributing to the fight against corruption and systemic violations.

Additionally, we actively involve professionals from the railway industry and related fields, creating a network of activists united by a shared objective—enhancing transparency and accountability in the operations of Belarusian Railways. This network enables us to effectively identify issues, share experiences and information, and implement changes in critical areas of our initiatives.

Team CRWB

Our team comprises professional railway personnel representing all management and production levels of the Belarusian Railway (BZhD). This includes specialists operating both within the SZhB editorial office and across the structures of the BZhD and the transport industry in Belarus. We leverage their expertise and experience to provide objective analysis and coverage of key processes and events.

Principles and Approaches

• Objectivity, reliability, impartiality, independence, honesty, responsibility, security, and respect for human rights and freedoms.
• Respect for the individual and his or her unequivocal right to self-determination, irrespective of varying perspectives, including our own.
• The private lives of individuals are inviolable, with any interference justified solely by criminal actions of the individual or by reasonable grounds for the potential commission of crimes or offenses.

Activities

• We provide independent and objective coverage of processes, trends, events, and incidents at Belarusian Railways (BZhD), one of the largest enterprises in the Republic of Belarus. We evaluate management actions, identify omissions, and conduct critical analyses of events related to the organization of the enterprise's activities. Our work offers an alternative perspective on the internal processes of BZhD. We collect and document violations against BZhD employees and supply background information across various areas of the BZhD's operations, enabling the target audience to form an informed opinion based on alternative data.
• Monitoring of Military Transportation: We track the movement of military goods by rail (both domestic and cross-border: Belarus ⇄ Russia) and operations involving the import and export of military equipment and ammunition using the Belarusian Railway. We analyze volumes, routes, and the nature of such shipments, document potential violations, and provide information that contributes to increased transparency of these operations.
• Statistical Analysis: We compile and analyze key indicators and trends related to BR’s operations, offering deeper insights into processes within the industry and Belarus as a whole. This includes transportation volumes, dynamics of transport operations, identified violations, and their impact on efficiency. This facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the processes taking place within the industry and in the Republic of Belarus overall, including transportation volumes, dynamics of transport operations, identified violations, and their impact on work efficiency.
• We focus specifically on corruption issues within Belarusian Railways, examining their effects on enterprise efficiency and internal management processes. Our analysis includes instances of corruption schemes, manipulation of legal norms, arbitrary actions, and managerial incompetence. Our investigations illuminate the systemic nature of these challenges and their implications for employees, management processes, and overall enterprise operation.
• We oversee the safety of train operations, focusing on the identification and analysis of incidents, violations, and factors that may impact the reliability and safety of rail transport.
  We conduct an analysis of incident causes, evaluate the actions taken by management and personnel, and review measures designed to prevent emergency situations. We identify and publish cases of concealed violations related to train safety, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in this area.
• We collaborate with partner organizations and structures, including governmental entities, providing analytical and informational support within our capacity. Special emphasis is placed on monitoring military rail transportation and its impact on regional security. Our activities aim to enhance transparency and awareness through reliable data and analytics.

Security and Information Protection

• Cybersecurity: We engage in continuous monitoring, analysis, and risk assessment to safeguard information resources and the internal security of the organization. Our approach includes the implementation of advanced encryption technologies, stringent access control measures, and routine system updates. We prioritize the prevention of data breaches and the protection of confidential information by conducting regular vulnerability assessments through both internal and external audits, and enhancing security protocols in alignment with best global practices. Additionally, we provide training for our employees on fundamental cybersecurity principles to reduce human error and bolster the overall security of the organization.
• Security of Sources and Activists: We maintain complete confidentiality and security of information sources, ensuring their protection at every stage of interaction. Modern tools and technologies are employed to minimize risks. One notable example is the SecureDrop platform implemented within our organization, which facilitates secure transmission of information and communication, thereby reducing the possibility of tracking or unauthorized access. Additionally, we provide access to our website through a mirror in the TOR network, adding an extra layer of anonymity for both our audience and for activists and sources using the feedback form. Our team adheres strictly to protocols for handling confidential information: access to source data is restricted to a limited number of individuals who have undergone comprehensive verification, and encrypted communication channels safeguard internal interactions, minimizing the risk of leaks. We also deliver training to our activists and sources on personal safety and cybersecurity principles, assisting them in reducing risks and maintaining confidentiality in their communications with us. We continually enhance the technologies and methods employed to address evolving cybersecurity challenges and effectively counteract efforts by intelligence agencies to access confidential information or identify our sources and activists. These measures collectively foster a secure environment in which every activist or source can engage with us confidently, assured of their anonymity and protection.