2002 press releases

U.S. Deplores Belarus' Actions Against Media (June 28, 2002)

The United States joins the OSCE and human rights groups in deploring the Belarus government's continuing pressure against independent media. The sentences handed down this week for journalists Nikolai Markevich and Pavel Mozheiko, from the independent newspaper Pahonya, for having allegedly insulted President Lukashenko during last year's presidential campaign are offensive to the universal principles of free speech and free press.

We also note that a pattern of harassment against the independent media has intensified in recent weeks with this and other cases that appear to be politically motivated retribution against independent journalists for their professional activities. Prison sentences for independent media critics are a new and unwelcome development.

These actions are part of a continuing series of anti-democratic measures taken by the Lukashenko regime since the flawed September 2001 presidential election. By these actions, the regime is increasingly isolating itself from the rest of Europe.

We call on Belarus to release the 'Pahonya' journalists, repeal its laws subjecting journalists to criminal charges, and assure adequate protections for independent media, consistent with its OSCE commitments.