Statements by BAJ and partners

Journalist Andrei Tolchyn recognized as political prisoner

On November 16, several human rights and media organizations released a joint statement recognizing journalist Andrei Tolchyn as a political prisoner.

17.11.2023

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s sentencing of journalist Larysa Shchyrakova

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a Belarusian court’s sentencing of journalist Larysa Shchyrakova to 3.5 years in prison for allegedly discrediting the country and facilitating extremism.

01.09.2023

«A parody of justice». Foreign human rights defenders commented on the harsh sentence of the Belarusian journalist

In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Pavel Padabed to four years in prison on Friday, June 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement.

04.07.2023

IPI denounces designation of Zerkalo as “extremist formation”

The International Press Institute (IPI) and its global network today denounce the decision by authorities in Belarus to designate Zerkalo, the country’s most popular independent news site, as an “extremist formation”.

14.06.2023

Belarusian journalist Yauhen Merkis sentenced to 4 years in prison

In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Yauhen Merkis to four years in prison on Tuesday, May 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the statement.

31.05.2023

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.    

21.05.2023

The authorities are trying to destroy independent journalism in Belarus. Support the Solidarity Marathon!

03.05.2023

Journalists Padabed and Lazarau recognised as political prisoners

Joint statement by the Belarusian human rights community

29.03.2023

Harsh sentences for Maryna Zolatava and Ludmila Chekina avenge the truth TUT.BY delivered to millions

Minsk City Court considered in camera the criminal case against the editor-in-chief of the largest Belarusian media outlet TUT.BY, Maryna Zolatava, and TUT.BY CEO Ludmila Chekina. Judge Valiantsina Ziankevich found the TUT.BY workers guilty and imposed huge sentences: Maryna Zolatava received 12 years of imprisonment, Ludmila Chekina – 12 years of imprisonment.

17.03.2023

Belarusian Association of Journalists designated as “extremist formation”

JOINT STATEMENT - THE OBSERVATORY / HELSINKI FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

15.03.2023

OSCE, Reporters Without Borders, EFJ, and other iNGOs react to declaring BAJ extremist formation

On February 28, the Belarusian State Security Committee recognized the Belarusian Association of Journalists as an extremist formation. BAJ was the first Belarusian human rights organization to be “awarded” such a status. The international community is outraged by such a decision by the Belarusian authorities.

13.03.2023

Journalists and human rights defenders are not extremists. BAJ considers it absurd that the organization was recognized as «extremist». STATEMENT

On March 7, it became known that the State Security Committee of Belarus recognized the Belarusian Association of Journalists as an extremist formation. BAJ became the first Belarusian human rights organization that ”received" such a status.

07.03.2023

Joint statement in the run-up to the verdict in the Viasna case

Paris-Geneva, March 2, 2023 – Tomorrow, the Leninsky District Court in Minsk is expected to hand down its verdict in the case of Viasna leaders Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic and Uladzimir Labkovich. On the eve of the verdict, the signatory organisations reiterate their calls to release the human rights defenders and drop all charges against them.

02.03.2023

8 years in prison. Andrzej Poczobut’s conviction is revenge for dissent, says BAJ and demands the journalist’s release

On 8 February, Hrodna Regional Court sentenced Andrzej Poczobut, a prominent Belarusian journalist, publicist, and member of the Union of Poles in Belarus, to eight years in prison. Poczobut was found guilty of encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus and inciting ethnic hostility.

08.02.2023

BAJ nominates National Union of Journalists of Ukraine for UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

Last year, the Belarusian Association of Journalists won the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. 46 countries, as well as many journalistic organizations globally, nominated BAJ for this award. Among them was the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, BAJ’s close partner.

08.02.2023