News on the topic: freedom of speech
08.11.2023 "We associate this with his activities in the protection of human rights." The statement of Viasna in connection with a new criminal case against Leanid Sudalenka
In connection with the information about the beginning of a new criminal prosecution of human rights defender and former political prisoner Leanid Sudalenka for "promoting extremist activities", we, members of the human rights center Viasna, declare the following.
30.08.2023 How the authorities in Belarus persecute readers and journalists of “extremist" media
Viasna looks into how Belarusians get into legal trouble for working with independent media and shares their stories.
17.08.2023 The Viasna Human Rights Center strongly condemns the designation of Viasna Homieĺ as an extremist group
Authorities continue to misuse anti-extremism laws to target the media, civil society organizations, and other pro-democracy entities.
15.08.2023 Social media and website of Viasna Homieĺ branch deemed ‘extremist’
Previously, the KGB put on the extremist list other resources of the human rights center.
03.05.2023 On World Press Freedom Day, 33 journalists remain jailed in Belarus as independent media face persecution
Viasna reports the current state of independent media in the country and tells how to support imprisoned journalists.
06.04.2023 Journalist Aliaksandr Mantsevich is a political prisoner
His imprisonment is another act against freedom of speech in the country.
28.03.2023 Journalists Padabed and Lazarau recognised as political prisoners
One of the most egregious forms of harassment is the criminal prosecution of journalists for “belonging to an extremist organization or promoting extremist activities”.
23.03.2023 Journalists Semchanka and Mazheika sentenced to 3 years in prison for inciting enmity
On March 23, in separate hearings, Minsk Municipal Court convicted a former All-national TV anchor and Komsomolskaya Pravda correspondent of "inciting enmity" against public officials.
26.10.2022 Healthcare corruption whistleblower Siarhei Satsuk sentenced to 8 years in jail
The journalist revealed many large-scale corruption facts including COVID-19 data fraud by the Ministry of Health.
21.09.2022 Ivan Murauyou and Yauhen Merkis recognized as political prisoners
Joint statement of the Belarusian human rights community
30.11.2021 Journalist Iryna Slaunikava is a political prisoner
Joint statement by the human rights organizations of Belarus
19.11.2021 BelaPAN chief editor and ex-director face up to 7 years in prison on “extremism” charges
BelaPAN editor-in-chief Iryna Leushyna and ex-director Dzmitry Navazhylau were charged with “creating an extremist formation”
18.11.2021 BAJ demands to stop using anti-extremist legislation to restrict freedom of speech
On 1 November 2021, Belarusian KGB recognized the BelaPAN news agency as an extremist formation, and on November 3, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus announced the same status of the Belsat TV channel.
17.09.2021 Critical vlogger given 4 years in prison over ‘slandering’ and ‘insulting’ Lukashenka and top officials
In court, Ruslan Linnik pleaded not guilty, refused to testify, and in his last statement told about the psychological and physical pressure he suffered at the hands of the security forces.
19.08.2021 Human rights defenders call to release BelaPAN employees
Statement by representatives of the Belarusian human rights community
