罢丑别听聽conducted by Belarusian authorities on independent media outlets, human rights organizations and think tanks are a harsh escalation of attacks against human rights activists and independent journalists in Belarus.
The undersigned organizations condemn the government of Aliaksandr Lukashenka鈥檚 relentless crackdown on these groups and demand that Belarusian authorities cease their raids on press and rights organizations and release all those detained. The raids, which started on the 8th and culminated on the 14th of July are yet another escalation in an ongoing repression campaign undertaken by the Belarusian authorities to eliminate civil society in Belarus. The day before the raids Lukashenka聽聽he claims instigate unrest in the country.
Over a dozen raids were carried out by Belarusian security forces the morning of 14 July,聽聽including Viasna, Lawtrend, the Association of the World鈥檚 Belarusians Batskaushchyna (鈥淗omeland鈥�), the IMENA project, the Territory of Rights group, the Union of Belarusian Writers, the Movement 鈥淔or Freedom鈥�, the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, the Belarusian Schools Association, the Human Constanta in Brest, the Polatsk Human Rights Association, Leu Sapieha Foundation, 鈥淭hird Sector鈥�, and the offices of the Belarusian People鈥檚 Front Party, the BEROC Centre for Economic Research, NOVAK sociological laboratory and the human rights organization Gender Perspectives, as well as the apartment of the director of SYMPA.
This flagrant action against civil society and independent media in Belarus is a gross violation of the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression and association, and to freedom of the press, and must cease immediately. The international community must speak with a unified voice against Lukashenka鈥檚 attacks on civil society by condemning these disturbing raids, calling for the release of journalists and activists, and holding accountable the Belarusian politicians and security forces who are responsible for these abuses.
As members of civil society across the globe, we, the undersigned, demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained or imprisoned journalists and activists and an end to raids, detentions, harassment, and attacks on journalists, artists, activists, and all those exercising their right to freedom of expression and association.
Signatories:
ARTICLE 19
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)
Free Press Unlimited
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
IFEX
Index on Censorship
International Press Institute (IPI)
PEN America
PEN International
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
South East Europe Media Organisation 鈥� (SEEMO)
