2002 press releases

USOSCE on Religious Freedom in Belarus (October 10, 2002)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The United States shares the concerns of the EU regarding the draft law on religion adopted by the upper chamber of the Belarussian Parliament. This new law would ban religious activity by unregistered groups, forbid most religious meetings on private property and subject religious literature to government censorship.

We join with the EU in calling upon President Lukashenko not to sign this draft law. But we also would like to note that we share the concern of the OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media, Mr. Duve, and the EU regarding the deterioration of freedom of the media and freedom of expression in Belarus. The prosecution and sentencing of not one, but three journalists in Belarus in recent months represents attempts by Belarussian authorities to intimidate independent journalists and violate the OSCE's core commitment to free expression.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.