OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media denounces continued crackdown on freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus
VIENNA, 22 July 2021 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro denounced today the continued massive violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus, after recent cases of harassment and intimidation of media and journalists in the country.
According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), over the past two weeks, over 60 searches were carried out by Belarusian law enforcement representatives in the editorial offices and apartments of media workers in Minsk, Brest, Gomel, Vitebsk and other regions of the country. The searches were conducted on various alleged grounds, including terrorism, mass riots, and gross violation of public order. Equipment was seized and many journalists detained.
Reportedly, there are at least 30 people currently in custody, who contribute to and work for media outlets and media NGOs, including Tut.by, Nasha Niva, Tribuna.com, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Press-Club, and Belsat.
On 14 July, law enforcement representatives also broke-in and searched the office of the BAJ. This is the second time the premises of the journalists’ association were searched since the beginning of the year (see earlier statement: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/478693). Since then, the Ministry of Justice has reportedly asked the Supreme Court to close the BAJ for repeated violations of the law, while the authorities have frozen the organization’s bank accounts.
“The continued harassment of media and journalists in retaliation for their work shows yet again the deliberate intention to stomp out open debate and any views on issues of concern to citizens that are critical of the authorities,” Ribeiro said. “I reiterate my call to immediately and unconditionally release all media workers and to fully implement all OSCE commitments and the country’s international obligations related to freedom of expression and media freedom.”
During the past several months, the Representative has addressed the deteriorating media freedom situation in Belarus on several occasions: on 16 February 2021, 18 February 2021, 17 May 2021, 18 May 2021, 2 June 2021 and 24 June 2021.
Last week, during her official visit to Ukraine, Ribeiro also met with a group of Belarusian journalists, who had to relocate to Ukraine due to fear of persecution in their own country.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.