Janek Kuczkiewicz, ITUC Director of Human and Trade Union Rights, died suddenly on 8th April at his home in Brussels.

At the ITF we were greatly shocked and saddened by his death. The ITF first got know Janek well in around 1995. The ITF and the ICFTU dealt with the “Arcadia” case – in which eleven Chinese seafarers in Italy approached the ITF for help and were detained on their return to China. Three of these seafarers spent more than a year in custody, but their ultimate release was thought to have been in the main due to the ILO complaint Janek helped to submit, in the course of which he impressed us hugely with his characteristic energy and rigour.  

This was just one of the many contributions Janek made to freedom and justice for trade unionists all over the world – the cause he so passionately believed in, and to which he appeared to dedicate virtually all his waking hours. A steadfast colleague whose willpower and determination was equalled only by his sharp wit and quick humour, Janek was an extraordinarily vital man.  

The ITF had been working closely and fruitfully with Janek for the last couple of years on the case of Mansour Osanloo, the imprisoned Iranian bus driver.  We were with him in Guatemala in January, and this week many of us were talking to him by email about the release of Mahmoud Salehi, another persecuted Iranian trade unionist. Despite his untimely death, he leaves a real legacy of work on behalf of such workers.

Janek will of course be much missed. To send condolences, please go to the ITUC's pages or email guy.ryder@ituc-csi.org.