OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

Sentencing of 2 more #Belarus journalists, Andrei Tolchyn & Ihar Karney, to imprisonment of 2.5 & 3 years, is appalling. It deepens intimidation, fear & insecurity, it devastates media workers, their families & colleagues & it perpetuates repression & undermines #MediaFreedom.

A 3-year prison sentence for freelance photojournalist Aliaksandr Ziankou highlights ongoing concerns regarding the abuse of anti-extremism laws and their detrimental impact on #freedomofexpression & the safety of journalists in #Belarus.

Earlier, on 26 January, former journalist Siarhei Hardziyevich was sentenced to 15 days of detention for sharing media content which was deemed extremist. I reiterate my call to end these practices & not detain media workers, in stark contrast with #OSCE media freedom commitments.

Sentencing of Alyaksandr #Mantsevich, editor of #RehiyanalnayaHazeta to 4 years in a penal colony for allegedly "discrediting" #Belarus is very concerning. Journalists must not be fined & imprisoned because of their work. I call for the respect of OSCE #mediafreedom commitments.

Recent sentencing in #Belarus of camera operator Vyacheslau Lazarau to 5.5 years in jail for alleged promotion of extremism is very worrying. It continues the unacceptable practice of targeting media workers and adds to the dire #mediafreedom situation.

Another journalist behind bars in #Belarus: 3,5 years on extremism charges for Larysa Shchyrakova is the latest example of systematic repression of independent journalism & a blatant disregard of OSCE #mediafreedom commitments. This worrying trend must be reversed immediately.

Yesterday's Supreme Court decision to uphold the 4-year sentence against journalist Yauhen Merkis on extremism charges in #Belarus is another step towards silencing independent voices and the ongoing clampdown on #mediafreedom in the country.

Yesterday’s sentencing of Telegram channel ex-editor Raman Pratasevich to 8 years in prison is another reminder about the horrific #mediafreedom situation in #Belarus. I urge the authorities to abide by their OSCE commitments & reverse this detrimental trend.

Today’s sentencing of journalists Hienadź Mažejka and Dzmitry Semchanka to 3 years in prison continues the detrimental and unacceptable trend of targeting media in #Belarus. I once again call on the authorities to release all media workers.

After recent detainment of media workers & today's cruel 12 years prison verdicts of Maryna Zolatava & Ludmila Chekina from TUT.BY, I renew my strong call on the #Belarus authorities to release all imprisoned media workers. My statement: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/539171

I condemn the decision by the #Belarus authorities to designate journalists organization @baj_by an “extremist formation”. Yet another attack on #mediafreedom in the country, creating a climate of harassment and fear towards media workers.
My statement 👇 https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/538593

Appalled by yesterday's Court decision to sentence Belarusian-Polish journalist Andrzej Poczobut to 8 years in prison on trumped-up charges of “incitement to hatred”. Journalism is not a crime.
He and other imprisoned media workers in #Belarus should be released.
@gazeta_wyborcza

I closely follow the trial against Tut.by media outlet’s Executive Director Lyudmila Chekina and Chief-Editor Maryna Zolatava. Both have been under arrest for more than 18 months and now face up to 12 years in jail. Prosecution of media workers in #Belarus must stop.

The detention of former journalist Larysa Shchyrakova in #Belarus and the lack of information about the circumstances of the case are deeply worrying. I call for her release. #JournalismIsNotACrime

I express my sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Vladimir Makei, Foreign Minister of #Belarus.

The long-term prison sentences for journalists Sergei #Satsuk & Ales #Lubianchuk indicate that repression of independent media in #Belarus has further worsened over the past period. I will not stop calling for the immediate release of all media workers. Journalism is not a crime.

The grave charges pressed against and sentencing of former and current employees of independent news agency BelaPAN is appalling and nothing short of a continued wide-scale persecution of independent voices in #Belarus. My statement: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/528318

Yesterday’s sentencing of journalist Kseniya Lutskina to 8 years in prison adds to a long list of brutal reprisals against #mediafreedom in #Belarus. I reiterate my call for immediate release of all media workers.

Yesterday’s verdict sentencing journalist Denis Ivashin to 13 years in prison is appalling and represents yet another blow to #Belarus’s OSCE commitments on #mediafreedom. I denounce it and call on the authorities to release the journalist. My statement: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/526023?fbclid=IwAR2r-BJWwiFaJoGtXFGm3XuqTY6gmHfzonPGaqRzQkM2GGDvBQsXOPKOg28

Today’s prison sentence handed to journalist Katerina Andreyeva from @Belsat_TV is another example of the continued practice of judicial reprisals against media workers in #Belarus. This is unacceptable and must stop. See my statement here ⤵️ https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/522601

I regret to learn about yesterday’s #Belarus court decision, sentencing chief-editor Oksana Kolb of independent weekly #NovyChas to 2,5 years in an open correctional facility. Another decision exerting a chilling effect on journalists’ ability to work & report independently.