Journalists' Unions of 33 European Countries Demand Release of Belarusian Colleagues
- 25.03.2021, 13:28
The leaders of the organization called for increased international pressure on the regime.
The leaders of 50 journalistic unions and associations in 33 European countries today called on their governments to increase pressure and take action in connection with the constant violations of human rights and freedom of the press in Belarus, reports nn.by.
The leaders of journalistic organizations sent a joint appeal today at the initiative of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and its branch in Belarus, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).
The signatories express “deep concern about the intensification of repression in Belarus," where the names of 12 journalists are also listed among political prisoners. “And this is just the tip of the iceberg,” the letter says. Since 9 August 2020, more than 30,000 people (including 480 journalists) have been detained, many of whom have been tortured and ill-treated.
In a joint letter, the signatories call on the heads of state:
- to demand from the Belarusian authorities the immediate release of 12 imprisoned journalists, the termination of administrative and criminal cases against Belarusian journalists, and the resumption of the work of the Press Club;
- to appeal to the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the European Union so that the international community would increase pressure and take measures in the face of constant violations of human rights and freedom of the press in Belarus.
“We welcome yesterday's decision by the UN Human Rights Council to set up a group of investigators to collect evidence of violence and torture by the Belarusian authorities during the dispersal of peaceful protesters after the elections. But this is not enough. The repression continues and intensifies. The regime of the dictator Lukashenka must immediately release all political prisoners, including 12 journalists who were just doing their job. He must also end all pending prosecutions. We will work together with the BAJ so that all those guilty of repressions against journalists are brought to justice and convicted. It is time for European governments and the international community to act,” EFJ President Mogens Blicher Bjerregard said.