The European Union condemned the persecution of journalists in Belarus.
This is reported in a statement of the EU representative.
In particular, on August 27, Alexander Lukashenko’s regime ordered to close the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the largest independent journalistic organization in the country.
“This closure is part of a systematic and ongoing crackdown on all independent voices in the country. Among the 649 Belarusians recognized as political prisoners are twenty-seven media workers. In May, the most independent media platform, tut.by, was shut down, and criminal cases were filed against its management and journalists. In July, a relentless crackdown on non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders continued, including raids on private homes, and many citizens were arrested with serious charges,” the statement reads.
It is noted that the EU strongly condemns this repression and calls on the Belarusian authorities to stop it, to comply with their international obligations and commitments under the UN and the OSCE, and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its own population.
“The EU continues to support the people of Belarus and will continue to support their civil society, including independent and free media,” reads the statement.
