Archive
21.05.2023
Civil society groups reaffirm continued solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners
Today, marking the Day of the Political Prisoner in Belarus, the undersigned organisations reiterate our condemnation of the Lukashenko regime's ruthless crackdown on civil society and independent media. We continue to stand in solidarity with courageous Belarusians who persist in their fight for freedom. The international community will keep demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
19.05.2023
MOST website and social media pages of its editor-in-chief declared “extremist formations”
MOST Media and its social media pages, as well as other projects and personal social media accounts of Hrodna journalist Ruslan Kulevich, have been declared “extremist formations” by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus.
19.05.2023
25 books confiscated from journalist Dzianis Ivashyn ordered destroyed
When journalist Dzianis Ivashyn was arrested on March 12, 2021, his home was searched by KGB agents. As a result, several dozen books were confiscated. Today it became known that the court ordered the destruction of 25 titles.
16.05.2023
May 21 is the Day of the Political prisoner in Belarus: show your solidarity! Updated with events schedule
Viasna human rights center has designated May 21 as a Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. On this day two years ago, political prisoner Vitold Ashurak died in the Škloŭ penal colony No. 17. No criminal proceedings have been initiated following his death, while the situation with political prisoners has significantly deteriorated. Last year, the Day of Political Prisoners theme was the yellow tag used in colonies to mark inmates. It was Ashurak who first talked about it in his letter. This year human rights defenders propose to make the theme of the Day of Solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus letters and the right to correspondence, which the Belarusian authorities have deprived hundreds of political prisoners. Viasna calls on people to express solidarity with all political prisoners on May 21, draw the attention of the Belarusian and international community to their problems, and once again demand the release of all political prisoners from the authorities. The Belarusian Association of Journalists joins the events! The authorities are trying to destroy independent journalism in Belarus. Support the Solidarity Marathon!
11.05.2023
Support for Pavel Belavus's family
How much is needed? 15,000€ — The amount collected will go to pay for lawyers, as well as to buy the necessities of life and to cover household expenses for Pavel's family.
11.05.2023
Journalism is not a crime! Video of solidarity action organized by BAJ and LUJ in Vilnius
33 names, 33 journalists behind bars, 33 portraits in the center of Vilnius... In order to draw attention to the situation of the media, on May 3 Belarusian and Lithuanian journalists started a marathon in solidarity with imprisoned Belarusian journalists.
11.05.2023
“I stay so that those who have been imprisoned or forced to leave have a place to return to”. Motivations of journalists who choose to stay in Belarus
On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, we interviewed colleagues and friends who remain in Belarus. They talked about their hopes and dreams, explained how they take care of themselves, and what helps them not to get demoralized and keep working. Names have been changed for safety reasons.
04.05.2023
"We stand by the truth, we stand together!" A marathon of solidarity with the imprisoned journalists started in Vilnius
Thirty-three names, thirty-three journalists behind bars, thirty-three portraits in the center of Vilnius... This number is particularly dramatic today, on World Press Freedom Day. In order to draw attention to the situation of the media in Belarus, Belarusian and Lithuanian journalists held a solidarity rally. This is the first action within the whole solidarity marathon, which is to be held in many countries of the world.
04.05.2023
Representatives of European journalistic unions spoke in support of their Belarusian colleagues on May 3
The participants of the conference of the European Federation of Journalists joined the marathon of solidarity with Belarusian colleagues, which was launched by the Belarusian Association of Journalists and the Lithuanian Union of Journalists in Vilnius.